Florida leads growth in virtual schooling

Still the oldest and largest K-12 virtual school, FLVS is a model for online instruction.

The oldest and largest virtual school in the country, Florida Virtual School is still growing. Although some have raised questions about funding and the amount of social interaction that students receive, ed-tech advocates say the potential of FLVS, and other virtual schools, is unlimited, and can help struggling students become 21st century learners.

August 17, 2007—As a seventh-grader, Kelsey-Anne Hizer was getting mostly Ds and Fs and thought teachers at her Ocala, Fla., middle school weren't giving her the help she needed. She was ready to give up. Full Story

But after switching schools for eighth grade, Kelsey-Anne is receiving more individual attention, making As and Bs, and is enthusiastic about learning--even though she has never been in the same room as her teachers.

Kelsey-Anne transferred to the Orlando-based Florida Virtual School (FLVS), one of the nation's oldest and largest online schools. At least 2,700 full-time and up to 52,000 part-time students in grades six through 12 get lessons over the internet from teachers scattered across the state and nation. The students, from Florida and 35 other states, communicate with their teachers and each other through chat rooms, eMail, telephone, and instant messaging. (Click below for full story)

Florida leads growth in virtual schooling