1

VIRTUAL SCHOOL CONSLUTATION PROJECT

Virtual School Consultation Project

Assignment 4

Proposed Virtual School for XYZ School District

EDTC 650

Laura Savary
2
VIRTUAL SCHOOL CONSLUTATION PROJECT
Introduction 

The year 2020 has brought to light a number of the pros and cons to our country's

education system. We have seen room for growth and a need for restructure. One of the ways

that school district XYZ can overcome these challenges is to create an online school that will be

able to fit the needs of our diverse learners and populations. A virtual school would ensure that

our students are receiving, “unparalleled equity and access to high quality education

unconstrained by time and place” (Wicks, 2010).  This virtual elementary school will be a

partnership and extension of the district and be used to support the needs of our exceptional

students. The virtual school and other elementary schools around the county will work in tandem

to share best practices. This proposal will make recommendations for a virtual elementary school

for XYZ’s school district. It will summarize the state of virtual schools in the United States,

outline a potential mission, policies and course design suitable for students in the K-5 age range. 

Summary of Virtual Schools in the United States 

Virtual Schools first opened in 1997 and by 2001 fourteen states across the country had

students enrolled in virtual learning in some capacity. (Barbour & Reeves, 2009). Today, thirty-

nine states have virtual or blended schools (Molnar, 2019). According to the National Education

Policy Center’s report, “Virtual Schools in the U.S. 2019” virtual schools have been growing

over the course of the last decade. The report states that, “In 2017-18, 501 full-time virtual

schools enrolled 297,712 students, and 300 blended schools enrolled 132,960. Enrollments in

virtual schools increased by more than 2,000 students between 2016-17 and 2017-18, and

enrollments in blended learning schools increased by over 16,000 during this same time period”

(Molnar, 2019). 
3
VIRTUAL SCHOOL CONSLUTATION PROJECT
As the want for flexibility and unique learning experiences arises, virtual schools and

classes seem to be the popular choice. Virtual schools allow for special populations of children to

enroll in classes that suit their needs. “Many argue that online curriculum can be tailored to

individual students more effectively than curriculum in traditional classrooms, giving it the

potential to promote greater student achievement than can be realized in traditional brick-and-

mortar schools” (Molnar, 2019). This alone is an encouraging reason to open a virtual school and

offer this opportunity to students nation and word wide. 

Proposed Mission 

“To meet the needs of every child XYZ’s virtual school will offer student focused,

flexible learning opportunities that aim to build a strong educational foundation. Through

collaboration, technology rich instruction, students will hardness 21st century skills that will

prepare them for college and career, all while addressing the needs of the whole child. “ 

This mission will help focus and guide XYZ’s virtual school to success. With focus put

on the child and their needs, teachers, staff, students and parents will have a clear idea of what to

expect from the school and the courses offered. The emphasis on technology and 21sst century

skills ensures relevancy and cutting-edge techniques and methods when instructing. Stating a

focus on the whole child shows that the school values the students and their success

educationally and mentally above all. This school will be a place for K-5 students to learn,

explore and grow. It will set them up for middle school and beyond. 

Foundation and Model 

XYZ’s new virtual school will be a blended model. A blended online model is defined as

“Blended learning (sometimes referred to as hybrid learning) refers to the practice of combining

traditional and online instructional practices” (Wicks, 2010). Students will participate in classes
4
VIRTUAL SCHOOL CONSLUTATION PROJECT
online asynchronously as well as attend in person synchronous learning days. Blended learning is

the best model for XYZ’s school because it will be able to offer the flexibility and

personalization of a fully virtual model, while accounting for the necessary and important face to

face learning that many young children need. 

Social emotional learning and learning how to function in a structured day are essential

for young learners. A main component to social emotions learning is, “teaching and modeling

social and emotional skills, providing opportunities for students to practice and hone those skills,

and giving students an opportunity to apply these skills in various situations”

(Weissberg, 2016). At XYZ’s virtual school, the blended model would allow for students to have

the in-person experiences needed for development, while also having the flexibility and

personalized learning that comes from the virtual school model. 

Asynchronous learning is student paced and guided by an instructor. This part of the

student day will allow students to work at their own pace and on assignments that can be

modified and adapted to meet their needs. The asynchronous days will occur 3 times weekly and

this is when the majority of the new learning will be done. Teachers will also hold live office

hours daily where students can receive small group instruction, reteaching or just ask clarifying

questions. These office hours will be recorded and posted for later viewing. The asynchronous

self-paced days will enable students to really discover themselves as learners. They will be able

to work at their own pace and tailor the curriculum to their schedule and routine. 

The synchronous days will occur in person two times a week. These days will be held in

a school building and be teacher directed. Students will attend the class where they will have the

time to connect with teachers and peers and form important relationships. In a recent article from

the New York Times it was pointed out that much of a child’s young learning and development
5
VIRTUAL SCHOOL CONSLUTATION PROJECT
comes from in person learning. “multi-sensory instruction turns out to be hugely important:

being able to look at words and letters on chalkboards, on the walls; to have constant, direct

physical contact with books, to stand up and make utterances and watch other children do the

same thing” (Bellafante, 2020). Learning how to read, write and decode words are crucial skills

for elementary learners. The blended model and the synchronous in person time will allow for

students to receive this type of instruction. They will be able to be enriched, retaught and even

work on group projects two times a week. The synchronous portion is crucial to the blended

model. This is where students will take the driver's seat to their own learning and work on

projects and lessons with collaborative groups and with their teachers.

Administration

To best ensure that XYZ’s new virtual school will run properly it will be crucial that the

district create a virtual school division within the central office staff. This office will be the

frontline in establishing and running the new virtual school. This group of professionals should

have a background and sufficient knowledge in virtual schooling to make certain that the virtual

school will be successful.  Some key staff would be: 

Director of Virtual Schools: Someone who oversees the operation. This role would be

similar to the superintendent of the district, They would make the effective decisions and ensure

the virtual school is properly staffed, trained and funded. 

Curriculum Specialist: This person would be essential in ensuring the curriculum is

adaptable to a blended model. They would work with the district curriculum team to streamline

what is happening in the county, while keeping the mission of the virtual school in mind. 

Professional Development Specialist: Teaching virtually and in a blended model can be

vastly different than brick and mortar teaching. The PD specialist would create and tailor the
6
VIRTUAL SCHOOL CONSLUTATION PROJECT
professional development to serving the needs of the diverse population. They would help to

ensure that technology training, curriculum training and classroom management skills are taught

to teachers in a timely and effective manner. 

Technology Specialist: With the constant evolution of technology the technology

specialist will be crucial in ensuring the virtual school is using cutting edge and trending

technologies to instruct the students. 

Potential School Level Admin: 

Principal:  The principal of a virtual school must be flexible and innovative. They take on

the task of managing a huge operation of technology, in person learning and student needs. The

principal of the virtual school will oversee hiring and have the ultimate say on school level

decisions that need to be made. They will need to be involved in all aspects and know the school

and its population inside and out. The principal should be hands on and eager to assist the

teachers and students in any way necessary. 

Vice Principal: The vice principal will be the second in command. The vice principal will

be the first stop for discipline and teacher needs. They will assist the principal in managing the

staff and helping to set and maintain the learning schedule. 

IT: The virtual school will have at least 1 IT specialist that will be able to troubleshoot

and assist with the technology needs of the students, staff and parents of the virtual school. This

person will maintain the devices and technology of the school and ensure hardware and software

are up to date.

Staff Developer: The staff developer will help teachers be the best they can be. They will

help with grading and reporting; testing and curriculum demands. This position will service the

teachers and set a culture of teachers who love their job and are eager to grow and learn. 
7
VIRTUAL SCHOOL CONSLUTATION PROJECT
Parent Community Coordinator: The parent community coordinator will be responsible

for building an inclusive community for the XYV virtual school. They will build the

relationships between the staff and the families. They can assist with administration, enrollment

and helping families establish a learning schedule to manage the needs and demands of the

virtual school. 

Curriculum and Course Development  

The XYV virtual school will likely have a very diverse group of learners. To ensure that

student needs are being met, the curriculum that is used will be rigorous and push students to be

the best all while ensuring proper supports and scaffolds are in place. The curriculum will align

with the Common Core State Standards to streamline what is happening within the district. A

team at the central office level will be responsible for choosing and purchasing curricula that can

be tailored to fit a blended learning model. They will inquire from various stakeholders in the

virtual learning school to ensure that the curriculum chosen aligns with the mission of the school

and vision for learning. Central office staff and the school's curriculum team will work to modify

the brick and mortar curriculum if necessary. The school will use a curriculum that will ensure

that what is taught synchronously in the classroom can cross over to the asynchronous learning

days. Students will take special classes, like art and PE and have the option for rotating

additional courses that will be tailored to their specific interests. They will take a technology

course that will help them build necessary technology skills to ensure they are ready for the

digital world and help them in being good digital citizens 

Course Technology 

Since the virtual school will be an extinction and partnership with the XYZ school

district, technology will come from the county. Students will be provided with a device to use at
8
VIRTUAL SCHOOL CONSLUTATION PROJECT
home for their asynchronous learning. This device will be used in the student’s home or learning

environment and can be taken into the classroom on synchronous learning days. The virtual

school will be facilitated by the county learning management system. This will streamline the

number of sites used and ensure that students master the site if they were to attend brick and

mortar schools for middle or high school. Lastly, the virtual school will use a number of Web 2.0

tools and websites to create the technology rich environment. These tools and sites will allow for

student’s choice in lesson and assessments. Students can pick ways to demonstrate their learning

that fit their unique needs and learning styles. 

Potential Policies 

Attendance: Attending class, engaging with the material is essential in student success.

Attendance will be mandatory and students must have a valid excuse for missing class. For

asynchronous days attendance could be in the form of completing an exit ticket, a discussion

board or submitting an assignment. Accounting for flexibility will be essential so due dates will

extend for a full week. In person synchronous days just as impart to the academic success and

social emotional success of the child. If for an approved reason, the child cannot attend the in-

person day, they can utilize Zoom to attend the class virtually. 

Evaluations: To ensure that all in the XYZ virtual community are growing and learning

evaluations will be essential in the success of the school. There will be evaluations for staff and

students that will occur regularly. This data will be used to inform teaching and running of the

virtual school.

Student: Students will be evaluated quarterly to monitor and track academic

progress. They will receive standard grades for their appropriate age and grade level.

They will also be evaluated on learning skills such as direction following, collaboration
9
VIRTUAL SCHOOL CONSLUTATION PROJECT
and creativity, things that are essential in young child development. Students will have

monthly conferences with their teacher and parents to discuss concerns and areas for

growth. 

Teacher: Teachers will be evaluated and observed quarterly as well. They will

receive two peer observations that will be non-evaluative and for feedback, alternating

with two administrative observations that will be evaluative of their skills and goals as an

educator. They may be evaluated on topics like, assessing, technology implementation,

lesson planning or classroom management. 

Academic Integrity: XYZ virtual school will focus a lot on the idea of digital

citizenship. Students will be taught how to cite and act online in the virtual school setting.

Students will be supported by all staff members and will be held of high expectations that

their work is original and representative of their knowledge and skill. 

Discipline: Establishing a culture of respect, responsibility and safety will help

guide teachers and staff to dealing with discipline issues. Teachers will be the first stop

for discipline problems and deal with the issue in house first if possible. Students can be

sent to the Vice Principal for circumstances beyond the teachers’ control. Bullying will

not be tolerated and students will be expected to maintain digital etiquette insides and

outside the virtual classroom. 

Professional Development 

Professional development is an essential component to any teachers and school’s growth.

At the virtual school, teachers will be offered many opportunities to learn new skills and enhance

current skills. Professional development will come from the central office staff and be

administered and led by the school’s staff developer. Professional development will be offered
10
VIRTUAL SCHOOL CONSLUTATION PROJECT
for technology, classroom management, relationship building, accommodating instruction and on

curriculum. Students will also engage in professional development in the form of required

technology classes where they will learn computer skills and how to use and navigate devices

and sites. The profession development at the XYZ school will be timely and relevant to the

teacher's wants and needs. 

Potential Hurdles 

While there are potential hurdles that the XYZ virtual school may face, they should not deter the

idea and concept of the school. With strong leadership and proper training there no reason that

the hurdles cannot be overcome. Some potential hurdles may be:

Funding: Since this school will be the extension of the district, funding will come from

the county and local government. Money will be allocated based on enrollment and student need

and the principal will have the ultimate say in where the money is spent. 

Engagement: Maintaining student engagement will not be a hurdle faced by the XYZ

virtual school. Teachers will be highly trained and be using an assortment of technologies,

techniques and practices to keep students engaged and learning. The synchronous days will be a

great incentive for research, clubs and socialization opportunities. 

Enrollment: The unique curriculum of the school will ensure that parents want their

children to attend. They will be taught in unique ways that meet their learning styles. Retaining

students and keeping them enrolled at the school will be crucial in maintaining the schools

funding 

Social Interactions: Virtual schools can feel isolating. XYZ is committed to meeting the

needs of the whole child and this means social and peer interactions. Clubs and electives will be

a great place for students with similar interest to meet up and work together. 
11
VIRTUAL SCHOOL CONSLUTATION PROJECT

Conclusion 

This proposal is only a piece of what it would take to open and operate a virtual school.

There are many important considerations and decisions to be made. This proposal outlines a

staring point and some of the initial ideas that would be essential in the addition of a virtual

elementary school in XYZ’s school district. This school will ensure that all children have a place

to learn in a way that is most effective for them. This blended model school will give children

the flexibility and personalized learning that a virtual school offers while maintain the crucial

face to face component of school for young children. Teachers, staff and students would be the

center of this school and benefit in many ways from the addition of the new elementary school.

We have seen a need for a change in our education system. This is the best way to embark on a

new learning adventure to give kids the skills they need to be successful in the 21st century.

Link to presentation: [Link]

References

Barbour, M. & Reeves, T., (2009). The reality of virtual schools: A review of the literature. Computers

and Education, 52, 402-416.

Bellafante, G. (2020). Are we losing a generation of children to remote learning? Retrieved from

[Link]

Molnar, A. (Ed.). (2019). Virtual schools in the U.S. 2019. National Education Policy Center.

[Link]

Weissberg, R. (2016). Why social emotional learning is essential for students. Retrieved from

[Link]

gullotta

Wicks, M. (2010). National primer on K-12 online learning. iNacol International Association for K-12

Online Learning. Retrieved from

[Link]