“It gives the students an opportunity to study a subject that we don’t offer at the high school … really exciting things that we wouldn’t have the staffing to offer,” said Mary Nancy Toscano, Westerly assistant principal and on-site coordinator for the program.

The program is called Virtual High School. Based in Maynard, Mass., the nonprofit corporation was founded in 1996 and offers more than 200 elective courses to advanced placement and honors students. Those courses include forensic science, oceanography, and pre-veterinary science.

For the rest of the article, go to Virtual high school expands students horizons

“The kids dictate what’s run and we can’t offer everything,” said Burke. “When the data tells you that something might not be possible for kids, you have to start to think twice.”

The Virtual High School curriculum is made up of rigorous reading and writing assignments, class discussion via message threads, pre-recorded instruction videos, evaluations and personalized communication between students and teachers. VHS also offers a 25:1 student-to-teacher ratio in all of its courses.

For the rest of the article, go to Virtual High School Program Presented to Committee

Since then, the Block Island School has continued to evolve. The most recent addition is a brand new gym.

Over the years, the school has added more teachers, more courses and the latest technology.

“Make this a great learning experience for an isolated community, and we do our best. We also have a virtual high school, which will allow kids to take courses virtually through the Internet,” said teacher Kristine Monje.

For the rest of the article, go to Block Island School remains heart of community

What began six years ago as a credit-recovery program has since morphed into a virtual high school that enrolls more than 500 students.

It has saved more than a few students from certain failure, says coordinator Michael Ferry. Last year, a sophomore walked into Ferry’s office and said, “I quit.” After talking with the young man, Ferry realized the student’s biggest problem was getting to school on time.

For the rest of the article, go to Electronic tablets break down educational barriers in R.I. schools

After a 30-minute overview, Ms. Gist opened the floor to questions and comments.

“While it’s a great story, your formula is flawed in many ways,” said state Representative-elect Richard Morrison (D-Bristol, Warren). “In Bristol-Warren, as a regional school district, the funding formula will cause our district to lose $1 million a year. How do you propose empowering great teachers?”

For the rest of the article, go to Education Commissioner Gist states her case

For the rest of the article, go to Week in Review: Can Kids Make a Difference? They Sure “Can!”

Middletown School officials also offered the Little Compton School Committee a non-voting seat on the Middletown School Committee to help ensure Little Compton has a greater voice in Middletown.

For the rest of the article, go to Middletown Faculty and Students Make Case for Little Compton

Dean of the Office of Continuing Education Karen Sibley, who spearheaded the project, said the program was developed for students who have already exhausted the options available to them through their high schools and are seeking to advance their education.

For the rest of the article, go to Brown goes virtual for high school

Narragansett is one of four towns in Rhode Island participating in virtual learning, along with North Smithfield, Scituate, Newport and Portsmouth.

Once enrolled, students are part of a class taught by a high school teacher in a different part of the country. “Students have the opportunity to meet online with teachers and talk to other students to make it feel like they are part of the class,” Pince said.

For the rest of the article, go to High school students enjoy online option

An extended year for teachers.

Additional time devoted to English and math.

Virtual classes at the high school.

Wraparound social services at the elementary schools.

These are just some of the measures that four Providence schools, identified by state Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist as among the worst in the state, have devised to turn themselves around after years of low student achievement.

For the rest of the article, go to Effort to improve Providence schools developed from bottom up