Post on 25-Jan-2015
description
Robin Beavers
EDTC650
Assignment 2
10/29/2013
Virtual School Presentation
OHIO BUCKEYE SCHOOL
FOR ONLINE SUCCESS (BOSS)
Table of Contents
Background
School Mission and Vision
Organizational Structure
Regulatory Environment
Curriculum
Students
Website Evaluations of Effectiveness (Students & Parents)
References
Background
Buckeye School for Online Success (BOSS) is tuition free charter
school open to Ohio students from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
BOSS was founded in 2003, in East Liverpool, Ohio by a group of
forward thinking individuals who were looking to provide educational
options for Ohio students.
Administrators, teachers and parents wanted a flexible, safe at home
environment with choices of curriculum, activities, and other options
for students grades K-12.
BOSS’ first graduating class was a mere 15 students in 2005. Since
then BOSS has grown and serviced thousands of families.
School Mission and Vision
Mission
“The Buckeye Online School for Success is dedicated to educating all students in its diverse population by offering academic choices to meet their individual needs. Our school is committed to preparing lifelong learners and productive citizens through collaboration with staff, families, and communities utilizing cutting edge technology” (BOSS, 2013).
Vision
“Guided by the highest expectations, the
Buckeye Online School for Success will serve as
the foundation for the future of our students. As
a center for educational and technological
innovation BOSS promotes 21st century
learning and we are the connecting link
between students, parents, staff, and
community”(BOSS, 2013).
Regulatory Environment
To ensure that students pass the mandatory
state testing (Ohio Board of Education,
2010) BOSS Curriculums align with
several educational standards including;
Common Core Standards,
the New Ohio Department of Education
Standards,
Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT) and
Race to the Top.
BOSS Virtual Classroom (VC) runs
real-time classes with live
instructors utilizing the Amvonet
Virtual Classroom and the Internet.
As suggested (Watson, 2007) BOSS’
VC A offers a flexible multimedia
experience for both students and
teachers.
Synchronous instruction, as well as
independent work allow interaction
with the teacher as well as
classmates by spoken, written, and
auditory communication.
Technology
Curriculum
Keeping in mind Ohio state standards BOSS offers courses that promote
progression of content from grade to grade(Ohio State Standards, 2011).
Boss offers three Curriculum programs for its students.
BOSS Primary -classes are for students grades K-5. Classes are presented in PowerPoint
presentation and submitted via BOSS’ LMS. Students have access to a teacher facilitator to assist
them in navigating the courses. Students meet periodically throughout the 18 week semester with
the teacher. A parent guide is included in each course to help parents or guardians navigate through
the lessons with the child.
BOSS Virtual Classroom- runs real-time classes
with live instructors utilizing the Amvonet
Virtual Class Room and the Internet.
BOSS Independent- for the self-reliant
learner in grades 6-12. Classes are presented
in PowerPoint presentation and submitted via
BOSS’ LMS. Students have access to a teacher
facilitator to assist them in navigating the
courses. Students meet periodically
throughout the 18 week semester with the
teacher.
Assessment
BOSS classes meet several hours a week for
instruction and have independent
assignments, tests, and quizzes on course
content to complete on non-instructional
days.
Students According to BOSS, there are currently 1,624 students enrolled in grades
K-12. BOSS students are 53.4% female. The largest ethnic group of the 1624
students at BOSS is White at 87.6%. This is followed by African American
(5.2 %), mixed students of two or more ethnicities (4.6 %), Hispanic (1.9 %),
Indian (0.5 %) and Asian (0.2 %) (FINDTHEDATA.org ,2012).
Student Demographics
One of the hopes for virtual schools is to reach the disadvantaged &
special needs students who struggle with traditional schools
(Watson,2010). BOSS’ student population appears to serve these
potential “at risk” students.
Student Performance
As with many virtual schools, BOSS’ academic performance is somewhat
below normal (Miron, Urschel, & University of Colorado at Boulder,
2012).
According to the Ohio Department of Education, BOSS is classified
as Continuous Improvement. This classification means that BOSS has not met the
following achievement benchmarks:
•75% (or more) of students earned a score of proficient or above in
achievement tests
•85% (or more) of students received a score of proficient or higher on the
Ohio Graduation Test
•Meeting or exceeding the 90% state requirement for 4-year graduation rates
•Meeting or exceeding the 93% state requirement for attendance rate
(FINDTHEDATA.org, 2012)
Student Services ,
Activities & Support Each student is given a
computer, printer and
appropriate software
and also receives
Internet Provider
reimbursements.
Often an inconvenience
for online students
(Watson, 2010) BOSS
promises that students
will not have to travel
more than one hour to
find a test facility.
Student Services ,
Activities & Support • Tuition-free, public school
• Computer
• Internet reimbursement
• Highly Qualified Teachers
• Safe learning environment
• Curriculum aligned to Common Core
• Live online classes
• Online self-directed curriculum
• Special Education
• Response to Intervention (RTI) program
• Guidance Counselor
• Earn a high school diploma
• Graduation ceremony
• Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
• National Honor Society (NHS)
• College and Career Readiness program
• Tutoring and support services
• Field trips
It takes commitment to offer students the
same services available to brick and mortar
counterparts(Watson, 2010).
BOSS offers its students many of the same
support, activities and social opportunities
that traditional schools do.
Including a dedicated Special Education
Department, guidance counseling, tutoring,
and social clubs like National Honor Society
and outings
One of online school’s missions is to serve the
Each student is given a computer, printer and appropriate software and also receives
Internet Provider reimbursements.
Often an inconvenience for online students (Watson, 2010) BOSS promises that
students will not have to travel more than one hour to find a test facility.
http://students.go2boss.com/
This screenshot shows the uncluttered interface and easy access to the student portal
where students can find links to the services they need including the LMS, email,
guidance, contact information and other resources.
http://www.ohioeschoolcoalition.org/press-releases/back-to-
the-school-of-my-choice/
References Buckeye Online School for Success. (2013). Buckeye Online School for Success - Tuition Free
Public K-12 Online School. Buckeye Online School for Success - Tuition Free Public K-12 Online School.
Retrieved from http://www.go2boss.com/
McFarlane, D. A. (2011). A Comparison of Organizational Structure and Pedagogical Approach:
Online versus Face-to-face. Journal Of Educators Online, 8(1), 1-43.
Ohio Department of Education. (n.d.). Ohio's Statewide Testing: OGT. Ohio's Statewide Testing:
OGT. Retrieved from http://ogt.success-ode-state-oh-us.info/
Ohio Department of Education. (2010, June). Introduction to Ohio’s New Learning
Standards. New Learning Standards. Retrieved from
http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Academic-Content-Standards/New-Learning-Standards
Buckeye School of Online Success. (2012). Buckeye Online School for Success - Tuition Free
Public K-12 Online School. Buckeye Online School for Success - Tuition Free Public K-12 Online School.
Retrieved from http://www.go2boss.com/
References
Miron, G., Urschel, J. L., & University of Colorado at Boulder, N. (2012). Understanding and
Improving Full-Time Virtual Schools: A Study of Student Characteristics, School Finance, and
School Performance in Schools Operated by K12 Inc. [with Appendices]. National Education
Policy Center
Watson, J. F., & North American Council for Online, L. (2007). A National Primer on K-12
Online Learning. North American Council For Online Learning,
FINDTHEDATA.ORG. (2012). Buckeye OnLine School for Success. Find the Data. Retrieved
from http://ohio-schools.findthedata.org/l/86/Buckeye-OnLine-School-for-Success
Website Evaluation