Alabama Online High Schools

This is a perfect example of how much these online high school and cyber charter school programs are in flux.  Evidently the Alabama Department of Education set up a distance or online high school program back in 2004: Alabama Online High School  - http://www.aohs.state.al.us/

That website still exists but directs you to this online high school/distance learning curriculum site:                      

 ACCESS Distance Learning 
Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide
 http://accessdl.state.al.us/

It doesn't appear that these classes can be accessed from home. Instead, this distance learning program is administered at public schools, so schools in poorer districts can offer classes they couldn't afford otherwise. You will have to call this program to see if any of these classes can be taken for free at home.

This will soon be a huge debate.  Schools have battled distance learning, pulling kids away from their schools and saying kids need school "socialization" and classroom learning. Now they find the value in it, actually say kids learn better one on one and embrace it as their idea. Either way, students will benefit with more access to a variety of classes.  

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Web www.cyberhighschools.com

FROM THEIR WEBSITE: 

 "ACCESS Distance Learning Q & A
Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide
06/28/06

Why ACCESS Distance Learning?

• Schools across Alabama are unable to support AP, dual credit, and elective courses.
• In 2003, Alabama administered 99 AP exams per 1,000 juniors and seniors; ranking the state 14th out of 16 southern states in AP offerings.
• Approximately 32% of Alabama public school students are in rural schools, often in impoverished regions with limited local funding and limited ability to recruit teachers.

How does ACCESS Distance Learning work?
High quality instruction and coursework is provided by:

• An infrastructure delivering courses via a statewide interactive videoconferencing (IVC) network and/or the Internet along with
• Instruction by Alabama certified teachers, as E-teachers, at delivery school labs to other high school labs staffed by facilitators at schools that otherwise do not have an Alabama certified teacher to instruct the course.

What are the objectives? ACCESS Distance Learning provides:

• Advanced Diploma Courses
• Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment Courses
• Variety in Electives
• Remediation and Supplemental Resources
• Leverage of Existing Resources
• Teachers with Additional Multimedia and Technology Tools to Enhance Instruction

What are the strategies to reach these objectives?

• Increase the number of quality courses available to students (online, IVC, blended)
• Increase the number of students enrolled in distance learning courses
• Develop the blended course model
• Award and support technology infused distance learning labs in 24 pilot sites and 20 expansion sites
• By fall 2006, increase connectivity to all school systems and approximately 50% of high schools (minimum of 10 Mbps); and by summer 2007 increase connectivity to 100% of Alabama public high schools. Note: This is the equivalent capacity of seven T-1 lines.
• Connect the reported 113 existing, independent IVC labs to one, statewide network
• Develop three ACCESS Distance Learning Support Centers located at Madison City Schools, The University of Alabama, and Troy University, for professional development
• Conduct Needs Assessments and Evaluations

How is the State of Alabama funding ACCESS Distance Learning?
Act #2005-173 was passed by the Alabama Legislature to appropriate initial funds to develop and begin the ACCESS Distance Learning plan through 2006, including 12 pilot high schools. Act #2006-282 continues the distance learning initiative through 2007.

Are there other funding sources?
For 2006, a federal grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) provided funding for an additional 12 pilot high schools.

What are the 24 (12 state funded and 12 ARC funded) pilot high schools?

How many students in Alabama have participated in distance learning through ACCESS?
For spring 2006, more than 1,550 high school students took distance learning courses. This includes:

• 24 distance learning pilot high schools that led:
  o 19 real-time interactive videoconferencing courses for 840 students and
  o Seven (7) Web-based courses for 310 students.
• More than 400 students at other public high schools took 20 Web-based courses.

For fall 2005-spring 2006, distance learning remediation courses were provided for 444 math and 415 science students.

For summer 2006 more than 1700 students are enrolled in online courses.

• Eleven (11) courses were offered for credit.
• Distance Learning remediation courses for math and science were offered to more than 200 students.

How many educators have been trained to deliver/receive distance learning instruction?

• More than 140 administrators, counselors, teachers, and facilitators have been trained through the pilot phase and summer school at the three support centers.
• It is expected that at least 75 additional educators will be trained prior to the 2006-2007 school year.

What equipment is recommended for a distance learning lab?
The lab structure is determined jointly by the school system and the Alabama Department of Education based on school needs and requirements, the technical specifications required by ACCESS DL guidelines, and grant funding.

• Codec (Compresses/Decompresses Data)
• Whiteboard, Smartboard, or InterWrite (Interactive, Electronic Boards)
• Cameras• Tablet PCs (16 minimum)
• Technical Support, Equipment Training, Equipment Manuals, and Warranties
• Wireless Port or Router
• Monitors and/or Projectors
• Professional Development for:
  • School Administrators, Guidance Counselors, and Other School Personnel on Management Techniques and Evaluation Strategies
  • E-teachers (Delivery Sites) and Onsite Facilitators (Receiving Sites)
  • Technology Coordinators 06/28/06

What courses are being offered through ACCESS Distance Learning?
For an updated list of courses, visit the ACCESS Distance Learning Web site at www.accessdl.state.al.us. Current courses include:

From the Alabama Online High School website:
"Since January 2000, the Alabama Online High School has offered web-based courses that bridge the barriers of time and distance and create unprecedented opportunities for schools to achieve access, excellence, and equity in education.

Due to its long-standing relationship with rural schools through its PACERS Cooperative, the Program for Rural Services and Research at the University of Alabama recognized the need for online courses as a means to increase course offerings, alleviate teacher scarcity, and prevent the possible closures of rural schools. The Alabama Online High School was created to address these needs.

Today, AOHS affords all public school students the opportunity to access courses required for both standard and advanced diplomas, as well as online tools to prepare students for the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. Over 2,300 students from 88 Alabama schools have enrolled in AOHS credit courses and AHSGE remediation modules.

In collaboration with the Alabama State Department of Education (SDE), AOHS courses are developed for high school students by high school teachers who are certified in the content area.

In the fall of 2004 Alabama Online High School was incorporated into the College of Continuing Studies at the University of Alabama.

HOW IT WORKS FOR STUDENTS:

AOHS students are at the center of the learning process. Students experience a virtual classroom that values cooperation, diversity, and high academic achievement. As in traditional classes, students are responsible for learning course content and completing course requirements. In addition, AOHS students interact with peers from other regions of Alabama and participate in group projects, class discussions, and inquiry-based learning.

During the period scheduled for their online class, students report to the physical classroom in their school--usually the computer lab--and login to the AOHS course portal. Students may find that the e-teacher has posted an announcement to the class, responded to questions or work submitted the previous class day, or made a new assignment available. Students read the online course material or work on assignments during the class period. They can ask the e-teacher questions if they have problems understanding a concept.

Most students adjust quickly to online learning and enjoy their classes. What did students tell us they liked best about their online classes?

• Working at their own pace
• The relaxed feeling of not being in a large classroom with other students who always have the answer
• Exploring their creativity
• E-teachers who helped them through the parts of the class that were hard to understand
• Not having to sit in a classroom and listen to someone preach
• Learning "a lot of things I would have not had the opportunity to learn if I had not taken this course"
• Discovering that "I learned a lot more by reading than I would have by listening"

AOHS does not currently offer a full degree program, and it is the responsibility of the residential school to provide counseling regarding graduation requirements."

Again, Cyber High Schools advises calling this program to see if you can make it work for your student.