New year, new school? Virtual schools ease transition

Educators say many families switching their kids’ schools mid-year are turning to virtual schools like Connections Academy, for a variety of reasons.

First, more families than ever have embraced virtual education in general: Some 2 million American K-12 students now get some or all of their education virtually, according to research firm Ambient Insight. Second, the format of virtual schools eases a student’s adjustment period – and physical transitions for both student and family. Finally, family finances sometimes come into play. Virtual public schools – like all public schools – are tuition free and virtual private schools like National Connections Academy cost a fraction of traditional “bricks and mortar” private schools. Yet they deliver the academic rigor and highly personalized educations that are hallmarks of independent schools. So families with children enrolled in traditional private schools who are struggling to meet hefty tuition obligations often find they can save significant money and still get an independent school-caliber education.

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District 16 plans to bolster online learning

Spring Lake Park District 16 is gearing to ramp up its student online learning programs.

The move will give students more options, allow students to work at their own pace and the district will be on course for a rapidly expanding manner of delivering instruction – via the Internet.

“The K-12 online learning is growing and it’s growing fast,” said Jerelyne Nemanich, the district’s instructional technology coordinator.

Nemanich presented a report, “Online/Blended Learning Task Force Update,” to the SLP School Board during last month’s regular school board meeting.

The district will start with the high school and later address middle school needs. Nemanich said parents of elementary students have expressed interest in taking online learning classes as well.

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Dan Fosse reflects on school board career

Fosse was also a part of the long range facilities committee that worked on the alternative facilities bond that led to improved energy efficiency in all the school buildings, and has led to significant cost savings for the district.

In 2008, the committee held several community focus meetings that allowed for community-based planning input for the future of the district, and around 30 community members actively participated in the meetings.

An extensive report was given to the school board in June 2008 that outlined 10 recommendations: reduction of class sizes and staff to student ratios; increase efficiencies in transportation; adding second language programs at elementary schools; provide online, virtual learning; further utilization and marketing of facilities; additional hi-tech and vocational ed opportunities; implementation of alternative energy technology; co-op and outsourcing of services; consider land purchase for future facilities; and developing a specialized tech or vocational educational facility.

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A look back at 2010

Maintaining a rank as No. 1 junior boys tennis player in the state — and a rank of 30 nationally — would make for a grueling schedule for any high school student. That’s doubly true if you’re Wyatt McCoy of Shoreview, 17, who also maintains straight As and tries to have the social life of a normal teenager. McCoy juggles all that by attending an online high school, the Brooklyn Center-based Insight School of Minnesota.

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Allen Interactions Wins Two Silver Interactive Multimedia Awards

The winning e-learning courseware created for Mary Kay’s online classroom is called Silver Wings Scholar ProgramSM. This comprehensive online learning classroom consists of e-learning courses designed to guide new independent beauty consultants through some of the basics of starting their own Mary Kay business. It covers essential areas of the Mary Kay career in independent consultant sales where learning lessons are designed to take a new consultant approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition and to have partnered with Mary Kay Inc. on this award-winning online curriculum,” stated Richard Sites, studio executive of the Allen Interactions’ design and development team which created the e-learning course for Silver Wings.

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Online school to host social event in Rochester

iQ Academy Minnesota, an online program of the Fergus Falls, Minn., school district, will host a social event at Mayo Field in Rochester, 403 E. Center St., from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The event is for students of iQ Academy and prospective students. Staff members will be available to answer questions about the virtual school.

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Mother excels in online high school

While her graduation represents a rite of passage for many who are Goodrich’s age, it also represents the new American trend of online education. Goodrich, 18, is one of an increasing number of high school pupils who attend and finish high school by taking online classes.

Goodrich graduated from The Insight School, soon to enter its third year of operation.

Nineteen percent of high school students in the U.S. attended online classes in the 2007-2008 school year, Insight spokesman George Fiddler said.

“A certified online Minnesota high school like Insight is just one of many choices for high school children in our state. It works a lot like open enrollment would,” said Christine Du Four, spokeswoman for the Minnesota Department of Education.

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Capella Education Company announces second quarter 2010 earnings release date and conference call details

MINNEAPOLIS, Jul 02, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Capella Education Company (CPLA 78.67, -1.40, -1.75%) , a provider of exclusively online post-secondary education through its wholly owned subsidiary Capella University, today announced that it will release second quarter 2010 financial results before the open of the market on Tuesday, July 27, 2010. A live conference call and Webcast discussing second quarter results is scheduled for the same day at 9:00 a.m. eastern time (ET).

To participate in the live call, investors should dial 866.385.4179 (domestic) or 706.679.1492 (international) at 8:50 a.m. (ET) and provide conference ID# 85824266. The Webcast will be available on the Capella Education Company web site at www.capellaeducation.com.

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