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Vol. 43, No. 2
January 13, 2009
Missouri’s Virtual School (MoVIP) Gets
Successful First-Year Report Card
In the summer of 2007, Missouri launched a “virtual school,” joining the ranks of more than two dozen other states that offer some form of online courses for students in grades K-12. Nobody knew how the $5 million “start-up” would fare as it began delivering classes via computer, with newly hired teachers maintaining remote contact with students and parents.
Despite some glitches, the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MoVIP) rapidly gained popularity and credibility. According to the findings of a formal evaluation, the program achieved important milestones during its first year of operations. In all, MoVIP enrolled about 13,000 students in 125 different semester-long classes during 2007-08.
The MoVIP initiative was authorized by the Missouri Legislature in 2006. Now in its second year of operation, it is managed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
“The MoVIP is still a fledgling operation, and we have much to learn, but we are proud of what we have been able to accomplish in such a short period of time. This program has successfully demonstrated that virtual classes can fulfill a number of distinct needs – for students, families and schools,” said Curt Fuchs, coordinator of educational support services for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Fuchs will present a summary of MoVIP’s first-year evaluation report to the State Board of Education when it meets this week (Jan. 15) in Jefferson City. Highlights of the report include:
- Missouri was ambitious with its effort to launch a comprehensive, K-12 program at the outset. Although middle-grade classes were not available the first year, MoVIP offered a full slate of academic courses for many students who need a full-time program, plus an array of “supplemental” classes, including foreign languages and Advanced Placement.
- In the first year, 88 percent of MoVIP students were in high school classes; 12 percent took elementary-level classes. About 80 percent of the students were white; 20 percent were minority. About 8 percent of the students had a disability.
- Students who take MoVIP classes are required to take the state’s MAP tests, like other public school students. In 2008, MAP scores for MoVIP students did not differ significantly from the state averages for all students.
- Students and parents generally rated MoVIP instruction as being of good quality, and they viewed instructors as good teachers who express high expectations for students.
- MoVIP students rated their classes as “challenging.” Secondary students and parents were more likely to view their courses as overly rigorous.
- One of the main problems MoVIP experienced was the large number of students dropping courses before completion. In many cases, this was caused by students and parents who expected the online courses to be easier than traditional classes. Because families pay nothing for MoVIP classes, there is no incentive for students to try to finish a class when they hit a rough spot, Fuchs said.
- Training for teachers during the first year was inconsistent. Elementary and secondary teachers were hired and trained by two separate companies. State education officials began to address this issue during 2008-09.
- The first-year budget for MoVIP was $5.2 million. Elementary classes cost $375 each; secondary classes, $357. Nearly all of the available funds were used.
“During the second year of operations (2008-09), we added more classes, we began offering middle-school classes, and we expanded the Advanced Placement options. We expect enrollment this year to increase by about 25 percent, and we expect the demand for online courses to keeping growing,” Fuchs said.
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Note: The MoVIP 2007-08 Evaluation Report was prepared by TA Consulting, a firm based in Springfield, Ill.