Now that schools and districts have navigated their plans for how to provide online and hybrid learning options this fall, many are evaluating their next challenge. How can educators provide options for students and families who are anxious about returning to school, and still keep them within their home school districts?
There is no doubt this is a major concern as a recent survey found that two in three, or 66 percent of K-12 parents, are anxious about sending their students back to school and are seeking alternative options to keep their student safe.
Many districts are turning to virtual schools as a potential solution to provide students with the curriculum they need to work virtually. However, virtual schools are not all created equal, and finding the right option for your district needs can be a challenge. Below we share our recommendations for what to consider when launching a virtual school to increase student options this fall.
1. Implement a program that meets a variety of needs and is easily accessible for students, parents and teachers.
Juggling the demands of work and managing an online student can be a major challenge for many families, particularly if they have to work outside the home or don’t have subject area knowledge to support their student’s learning. Keep the process for virtual learning as simple and easy to access as possible. And if families have questions, make sure they know how to find the answers quickly.
2. Provide sufficient resources and a central location for questions and support.
Make sure there are resources available to hep students and families as they navigate the new virtual learning program with one location (website, contact numbers and email addresses) for technical support or other questions. Having access to communication in one place can simplify the confusion for both educators and students as they adjust to the new program.
3. Be selective when you choose the curriculum for your virtual program.
The success of your program is based on a culmination of your implementation, available resources and support, and most importantly, the digital curriculum students will use. It’s important to partner with an online learning provider that offers proven digital curriculum backed by actionable data that delivers a personalized learning experience for every student.
4. Understand how to measure the success of your program.
It’s one thing to get a virtual learning program up and running quickly, but it’s another to make sure you have the support you need to make sure it’s effective. Be sure you have access to an expert who will guide you throughout the process – from the start of the implementation to the launch as well as after it’s up and running to track your progress. A digital curriculum success expert should be able to help you navigate any challenges that come up and also provide you with insights on student data so you will be able to track the success of the program.
How we can help
To learn how we can help you quickly and efficiently launch a virtual program to provide more options for your students, reach out to us today: www.apexlearning.com.