Collegial Collaboration in a Competitive Environment

http://coloradocyberschools.org/

Sarah Ault- Colorado Connections Academy

Leanna Christians- Branson School Online

Lori Cooney- Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families

Heather O’Mara- HOPE Online Learning Academy Co-Op

Panel Introductions

2001 Established by the School Board of Branson School District RE-82

Vision Lead innovation in education for the state of Colorado and

nationally to serve generations of young people.

Population served Currently we serve 400 K-12 students statewide.

Delivery Model Virtual teacher instruction both synchronous and asynchronous

delivered through the web in the home.

Staff to student ratio 1 Highly Qualified instructor to 24 students.

2002Established as a full-time online contract school. Currently

contracting with Mapleton Public Schools.

Who we areConnections Academy is a national provider of K-12 online

education. Colorado is one of 19 schools.

Population servedCurrently we serve 1,400 K-12 students statewide.

Delivery ModelVirtual teacher instruction both synchronous and asynchronous

delivered through the web in the home. Majority of the teachers work from an office in the Denver metro area.

Staff to student ratio1 Highly Qualified instructor to 30 students.

2005 ◦ Established as a full-time online school ◦ Currently chartered by the Douglas County School District

Vision◦ Recognizing that all students learn differently, Hope Online students access their

online school at a Hope Online Learning Center where they are supported by dedicated and experienced teachers and mentors.

Students◦ Hope Online currently serves 3,000 k-12 students at 50 Learning Centers

statewide.◦ 79% of students are minority and over 55% qualify for FRL.

Delivery Model◦ Students of Hope Online attend Learning Centers, operated by a variety of

community-based organizations. ◦ Hope Online students access standards-based curricula , receiving synchronous

and asynchronous instruction, in an adult-supported environment. Staff to Student Ratio

◦ 1 licensed teacher for every 100 students ◦ 1 qualified mentor for every 18 students

The Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families is group of dedicated parents who have come together to be powerful and vocal advocates for cyberschools and online learning in Colorado.

Protecting choice in public education.

Cyberfamilies

Branson School Online Colorado Connections Academy Colorado Virtual Academy (COVA) Guided Online Academy Learning Academy

(GOAL) Hope Online Learning Academy Co-Op (Hope

Online) Insight School Karval Online Education Monte Vista On-Line Academy

Colorado Coalition of Cyberfamilies PACE

Members

The Colorado Cyberschools Association (CCA) cooperatively assists cyberschools in providing a high-quality education to online students by sharing information about effective online education and program management, promoting studies that improve the quality of online programs, improving access to online programs, working with appropriate agencies to improve enrollment and attendance processes, and collaborating to address geographic issues inherent to online learning.

What we do

Why was CCA Established? Pioneers in the advancement of Online

Education in the state of Colorado Information sharing & Advocacy Identification, research & advancement of

best practices Leveraging common issues with decision

makers

What have we grown to be? Resource for members Resource for researchers Resource for families seeking educational

option Resource for those who want to really learn

about a variety of online educational models

Why Choose Collaboration? Why not Competition? Identify the student populations that can

best be served by each offering. Recognize that families have the right to

choose the educational model that best fits their student/family needs.

Support families in getting the best fit for their students.

Basic premise is that there is sufficient students to be served by all members.

Shared Activities Schools share approaches as to how to best

educate state decision makers Schools come together to provide PD for

teachers School leaders identify common obstacles

facing the families they serve and look for ways to leverage in combination

Activities for families that can be common such as Red Ribbon Week and Day at the Capitol

What are the pitfalls? The organization is a volunteer organization Officers are also leaders in their schools-

burnout Dues are used to benefit families of

member schools Requires significant effort and trust with a

focus on what is best for the students served across the community of members

Benefits versus Cost to members always in review and must stay in balance