Ohio Gets New Virtual Public HS

A new virtual public high school is opening in Ohio this fall. The Ohio Digital Learning School (ODLS), authorized by the Ohio Council of Community Schools, will serve students ages 16 to 21 in grades 9-12. It is tuition-free.

Behind the scenes, K12 Inc. is serving as an online management provider, supplying curriculum and the online platform that the school will use, along with other services. The company already is involved in two other virtual high school charters in the state, Ohio Virtual Academy (K-12) and Destinations Career Academy at OHVA (9-12).

The newest school is intended to serve as a dropout prevention and recovery operation. Students will gain access to credit recovery courses, individualized learning programs, career planning and "highly targeted" remediation sessions to build specific skills. All teachers will be licensed in Ohio, many of them with a special education focus. Their interactions with students and families will take place via email, web-based classrooms, online discussions and phone.

While students will be expected to spend most of their school day online, the school stated, they'll also have offline work, including hands-on science experiments, reading novels and doing math problems without the computer.

Also, there will be face-to-face activities, such as optional community outings and student leadership opportunities. And students will be encouraged to connect with each other via online assemblies and clubs.

"The opening of ODLS significantly expands opportunities for students and families in a population that may need a little help in completing their high school diploma," said Elizabeth Roth, head of school for ODLS, in a statement. "We are committed to student success and will offer a high level of academic and emotional support for our students to help them to get and stay on track."

As of the 2016-2017 school year, almost 12.5 percent of Ohio's charter school enrollments — about 14,000 students — were in the dropout prevention and recovery charter system.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • stylized human profiles, tablets, and floating icons

    From Feedback to Flexibility: 5 AI Tools Teachers Should Try

    As a fifth-grade teacher and AI School Champion in the St. Vrain Valley School District, I've seen firsthand how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education. Here are five AI-enabled tools I've found especially powerful in my classroom and professional practice.

  • teenager’s study desk with a laptop displaying an AI symbol, surrounded by books, headphones, a notebook, and a cup of colorful pencils

    Student AI Use on the Rise, Survey Finds

    Ninety-three percent of students across the United States have used AI at least once or twice for school-related purposes, according to the latest AI in Education report from Microsoft.

  • three silhouetted education technology leaders with thought bubbles containing AI-related icons

    Ed Tech Leaders Rank Generative AI as Top Tech Priority

    In a recent CoSN survey, an overwhelming majority of ed tech leaders (94%) said they see AI as having a positive impact on education. Respondents ranked generative AI as their top tech priority, with 80% reporting their districts have gen AI initiatives underway, or plan to in the current school year.

  • robotic elements such as a mechanical arm, AI brain, microchip, and wheeled robot in a muted blue color scheme

    California District to Build New Robotics Facility for Student Creativity and Collaboration

    California's Fremont Union High School District recently announced that construction has begun on a new Robotics Facility on the campus of Cupertino High School. The 14,500-square-foot facility will serve students at high schools across the entire district, providing purpose-built spaces for student creativity and collaboration.