Calvert Education Services, one of the nation’s premier providers of distance education, announced today that they have been selected to support Maize Virtual Preparatory School (MVPS), a new online elementary and middle school program out of Maize Unified School District 266 for students throughout the state of Kansas. Classes will begin in the fall of 2011.

MVPS is a Kansas virtual school designed for families seeking a personalized education for their children that is custom-tailored to their individual family needs. Students in Kindergarten through eighth grade attend MVPS from their home in a blended online and offline environment. They frequently participate in age-appropriate, online classes conducted by highly-qualified instructors.

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The board instructed Noble to draft a letter to Centre USD 397 Board of Education about an issue with USD 397 recruiting students for its virtual school program in other districts, including USD 410.

Kansas State Department of Education requires districts give written notice to other districts before meeting with students in those districts about virtual school, Noble said.

USD 410 received no such notification about an April 18 meeting in Hillsboro. Marion USD 408 and Herington USD 487 have the same issue, Noble said.

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The number of Skyline full-time equivalent enrollment increased by three but there was no increase in student population.

FTE is determined by the number of hours of student coursework rather than the actual student population.

Following an annual audit, FTE increased from 359.5 to 362.5. The additional three “students” are now eligible for weighted consideration and that means Skyline is eligible for more weighted funding, said Superintendent Mike Sanders.

“It’s unusual for us to gain that many,” Sanders said.

After the audit evaluation, the auditor moved three students from virtual school weighting to full time status. Because of the number of hours in the classroom, the auditor could count the students as full time and not just virtual school students, Sanders said.

Usually any increase in FTE from the original count on Sept. 20 to the audit in the spring is less than one student but this was different and it had an impact on the auditor.

“He (auditor) was real impressed with the district and all the weighting we have,” Sanders said. “You don’t see a district of our size with this many programs.”

For the rest of the article, go to Skyline gains extra funding by the hour

Turning Point Learning Center will have an open house next week for families considering enrollment at the K-12 charter school in 2011-12. The TPLC Open House will be from 6 -8 p.m. Thursday at the Kansas Avenue building, 315 S. Market St.

Turning Point is a charter school in the Emporia district that offers both on-site and virtual programs. Enrollment applications are available online for 2011-2012.

Turning Point opened in Emporia in 2005 as a K-8 virtual school to give families an option from a non-traditional education setting. The following year, a face-to-face program was added at Kansas Avenue for grades 5 – 8 using project-based learning as the instructional model. Project-based learning uses thematic classroom projects to offer depth to student learning. Students use technology and inquiry to study issues and solve problems relevant to their lives.

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The preschool program at Maynard Early Childhood Center serves 3- and 4-year-old children who meet one of several at-risk criteria or who have special learning needs. The program accommodates approximately 100 3 year olds and a maximum of 220 4 year olds in morning or afternoon (half-day) sessions. On April 18 and 19, preschool enrollment will be held at Maynard from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. Parents are asked to bring their child’s birth certificate and immunization records. Parents are encouraged to call or visit the school if they have questions about whether or not their child is eligible to participate.

Yet another option for families is Turning Point Learning Center, a virtual school for K-5 students whose parents choose to play a more direct role in their child’s learning. This program offers a totally virtual environment or a combination of virtual and on-site services. Turning Point will host an open house for interested families on April 14 from 6 – 8 p.m. This will be a great chance to speak with teachers as well as other parents and students currently enrolled at the charter school. The school is located in the Kansas Avenue building at 315 South Market Street.

Investing in early childhood education will assure that Emporia continues a legacy of high-quality education throughout the vast continuum of educational services in our community. We are committed to providing these opportunities for children in the early years so the door to each child’s career path remains wide open!

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