Texas Expands Virtual School

by Dave Nagel

According to information released , the Texas Virtual Academy at Southwest (TXVA) has received approval from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to expand its service area and enroll more students from across the state. The move will double the number of students that can enroll in the school, which is operated by K12 Inc. and Southwest Schools under TEA's two-year-old Electronic Course Program.

According to the school, it will now be able to enroll up to 1,500 students from 13 regional education service centers (regions 1 through 8, 10 through 13, and 20). In 2007-2008, it served 750 students from three regions. The school serves students in grades 3 through 8.

"Our goal at Southwest Schools is to give students access to high quality educational opportunities," said Janelle James, COO and CAO for Southwest Schools, in a statement released Monday. "TXVA provides an exciting education experience that provides kids with the benefit of personalized learning along with public school structure and accountability. We are grateful for the leadership and guidance of Kate Loughrey from TEA's Department of Distance Learning as we've expanded this program to meet the needs of more children across the state."

Web-based learning will be provided through the K12 Online School, a system that's being used by some 40,000 students in 17 states in statewide public and other e-learning programs. Through the tuition-free program, students will have access to standard core subjects (language arts, math, science, etc.). Course materials are shipped to students' homes for courses that require textbooks, hands-on materials, or other supplies. State-certified teachers facilitate learning through the program.