Texas Expands Virtual School

##AUTHORSPLIT##<--->

According to information released this week, 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.

Get daily news from THE Journal's RSS News Feed


About the author:David Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's online education technology publications, including THE Journal and Campus Technology. He can be reached at [email protected].

Proposals for articles and tips for news stories, as well as questions and comments about this publication, should be submitted to David Nagel, executive editor, at [email protected].

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • students using digital devices, surrounded by abstract AI motifs and soft geometric design

    Ed Tech Startup Kira Launches AI-Native Learning Platform

    A new K-12 learning platform aims to bring personalized education to every student. Kira, one of the latest ed tech ventures from Andrew Ng, former director of Stanford's AI Lab and co-founder of Coursera and DeepLearning.AI, "integrates artificial intelligence directly into every educational workflow — from lesson planning and instruction to grading, intervention, and reporting," according to a news announcement.

  • toolbox featuring a circuit-like AI symbol and containing a screwdriver, wrench, and hammer

    Microsoft Launches AI Tools for Educators

    Microsoft has introduced a variety of AI tools aimed at helping educators develop personalized learning experiences for their students, create content more efficiently, and increase student engagement.

  • laptop displaying a red padlock icon sits on a wooden desk with a digital network interface background

    Reports Point to Domain Controllers as Prime Ransomware Targets

    A recent report from Microsoft reinforces warns of the critical role Active Directory (AD) domain controllers play in large-scale ransomware attacks, aligning with U.S. government advisories on the persistent threat of AD compromise.

  • Two hands shaking in the center with subtle technology icons, graphs, binary code, and a padlock in the dark blue background

    Two Areas for K-12 Schools to Assess for When to Work with a Managed Services Provider

    The complexity of today’s IT network infrastructure and increased cybersecurity risk are quickly moving beyond many school districts’ ability to manage on their own. But a new technology model, a partnership with a managed services provider, offers a way forward for schools to overcome these challenges.