Virtual School Case Study

1. Virtual School Case Study Community Academy Public Charter School Washington, DC Logo from http://www.k12.com/capcs Carly Fox | EDTC 650

2. Why Virtual Schools? • Finding the most effective learning environment for their child: • Individualized instruction and pace Images from: http://www.k12.org http://frenchsummerdaycamps.wordpress.com/online-tutoring/ http://www.voanews.com/content/for-online-learners-teachers-are-miles-away-146807085/181090.html

3. www.k12.com/capcs

4. CAPCS Online Background • 95 Students • Kindergarten – Grade 8 • First school year: 2007-2008 • Only virtual school in DC • 81% Black, 18% White, 1% Asian • Low income: 26% • Special Education: 8% Reference: DC Public Charter School Board. (2012). 2012 School performance report. Retrieved from http://www.dcpcsb.org/data/files/2013_Applications/2013_untiered/043-CAPCS_Online_AP11-12.pdf

5. Mission of CAPCS Online “The Community Academy Public Charter School (CAPCS) Online of Washington DC uses the K12 online curriculum to offer Washington DC students in grades K-8 an exceptional learning experience. With individualized learning approaches, CAPCS Online and K¹² provide the tools kids need to succeed—in school and beyond” (CAPCS Online, 2013). “The mission of Community Academy Public Charter school is to create a caring learning community where students acquire the knowledge, skills and habits of mind to think critically; to read, write, speak and listen effectively; to reason mathematically; to inquire scientifically; and to develop the social competence that ensures meeting the qualifications for acceptance to a competitive high school” (CAPCS, 2013)

6. Organizational Structure • Full-time virtual school • Asynchronous • Core classes and electives (K12 Curriculum) • Opportunities for face-to-face meetings • Contact teachers online and on the phone • Head of School and Operations Manager • “Professional, highly qualified, and certified” teachers • “Administrative support, oversight, accountability, and city-wide testing required of all public schools”(CAPCS Online, 2013).

7. Regulatory Environment • Student, parent, teacher partnerships • Research-based curriculum with a multimedia approach • Materials (books, technology) provided to families • 20-25% of time spent on computer • Asynchronous • “self-paced and flexible, provided adequate progress is being made” (CAPCS Online, 2013)

8. Scope of offerings • Grades K-8 • K12 Curriculum • Asynchronous • Online teacher interaction, daily lessons (interactive online with physical materials) • 6 core subjects • Language Arts, Math, Science, History, Foreign Language, Art • Electives • Physical Education, Health, Test-Prep

9. Student Body • Struggling academically (remediation) • Gifted • Special needs • Currently homeschooled • Homebound children • Involvement in arts, athletics • Transient families

10. Website Effectiveness for Parents • “How it Works” • Curriculum • FAQs • Enrollment • Events • New Parent Orientation • Meet and Greets

11. Website Effectiveness for Students • “Typical” students • “Meet” the teachers • Curriculum • Calendars • FAQs • Myths about Online Schools

12. K12 Website

13. K12 Website Video • Click here for a video showing a sample K12 Lesson. Created on www.k12.org with screen-cast-o- matic.

14. CAPCS Online Parent Testimonials Retrieved from CAPCS Online, 2013: • "I love CAPCS Online for many reasons! …Our teachers are so helpful and supportive! They really understand that every child is unique. I am so thankful that my family has had the opportunity to do cyberschooling at home. It has been such a blessing for us!"  -- Parent of two children enrolled in CAPCS Online—kindergarten and grade 4 • "I have really enjoyed my CAPCS Online experience! I like that we can be flexible with our schedule when need be. The K¹² curriculum is wonderful, especially the fact that there is constant reinforcement of main points throughout each lesson. I can see both of my children growing and actually enjoying learning. Thank you for making this such an excellent option for us!" -- Parent of two children enrolled in CAPCS Online—grades 2 and 3

15. CAPCS Online Parent Testimonials (cont.) • “Enrolling my children in CAPCS Online has been the best investment in their education I only wish I had known about this program years ago. The curriculum is comprehensive and rich and has exposed my children to a broad range of information in each core subject giving them a competitive advantage. The combination of home instruction online classes and weekly face-to-face sessions with their peers allows me flexibility with teaching and gives my children a focus on learning that traditional public school cannot offer. The administrative staff and teachers are top-notch and very supportive of the students and parents. I am thrilled with my children s growth this year and I definitely plan to enroll my children again.” • “My family has been a part of CAPCS Online for three years now and I wouldn't trade our experience for anything! What attracted us to CAPCS Online was the flexible schedule and well-known curriculum. What kept us at the school was the outstanding staff and the fact that my son was enjoying learning! Great school awesome staff fabulous network of parents - all in all a fantastic place to be!!!” • “Now that we've seen all the benefits to this less traditional schooling we are sold! The flexible schedule has been so wonderful for our family. We've taken vacations in the off-season music lessons in the middle of the day not to mention homework is not the overwhelming stress it once was. Our children can actually have free time at the end of each day. Another huge benefit is that the children can work at their own pace. If they are enjoying a certain subject they can do two or three lessons in a day. If they are struggling with a concept they can spend a little more time until it is mastered. As a parent new to all of this it seemed overwhelming at first but the materials are top notch and the support is incredible. Lesson plans supplemental material and everything the "learning coach" requires is at your disposal not to mention help is just a phone call away. “

16. In the News… • “Younger Students Join Online Learning Trends” • Student can work at his own pace • Flexible schedule (extracurricular activities) • Significant parent involvement • Educators still have some concerns about online schooling. • Social interaction • Parent involvement • Case-by-case to determine the best approach • Reference: http://www.voanews.com/content/for-online-learners-teachers-are-miles-away-146807085/181090.html

17. Interview Questions and Findings • Why do students choose to go to CAPCS Online? • Individualized pace and instruction, get away from distractions, flexible schedule • How is the instruction individualized? • Pre-assessments, learning coach, access to teachers by phone and online • Can students attend CAPCS Online part time? Or only full-time? • In DC, only full-time (other K12 schools have part time) • How satisfied are parents and students with CAPCS Online? • No measure of student satisfaction • 97% parent satisfaction based on surveys, retention

18. References CAPCS Online. (2013). Community Academy Public Charter School Online, Washington, DC. Retrieved from www.k12.com/capcs K12 Inc. (2013). K12 Online Public School. Retrieved from www.k12.com District of Columbia Public Charter School Board. (2012). CAPCS Online School Performance Report. Retrieved from http://www.dcpcsb.org/data/files/2013_Applications/2013_untiered/043-CAPCS_Online_AP11-12.pdf Logue, S. (2012). Younger students join online learning trends. Retrieved from http://www.voanews.com/content/for-online-learners-teachers-are-miles-away-146807085/181090.html