P1251328681NcWoX

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ACCESS Distance Learning providing Classroom
Courses and Teachers via Technology
Helping Students Succeed
For All Alabama Public High Schools
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What is ACCESS Distance Learning?

• A FREE Program Available to all Alabama
• Public High School Students (Grades 9-12)
• ACCESS Provides
• Equal Access to High Quality Instruction
• An Infrastructure That Delivers Quality Learning
  Opportunities
• Greater Equity for all Alabama Public High School
  Students Through Cutting-Edge Technology
• Wide Range of Courses Available to Relatively few
  Alabama Students Today

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Vision

• The State of Alabama will provide equal access to
  high quality instruction to improve student
  achievement through distance learning
  opportunities.

Mission
To provide an infrastructure that delivers
quality learning opportunities for all citizens.
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Distance Learning Course Delivery Methods

• Web-Based Asynchronous
• Interactive Videoconferencing (IVC) -
  Synchronous
• Blended Combination of Delivery Methods

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Big Picture

• ACCESS Delivers
• Not Just Virtual Online Courses
• Not Just IVC Courses
• But Utilizes
• A Unique Blended Approach to Teaching and
  Learning Utilizing 21st Century Equipment That
  Breaches the Disconnect Between the Traditional
  and Online Learning Environment Using Different
  Delivery Models.
• Teachers and Students With 21st Century Skills
• Multimedia/Technology Tools to Enhance
  Instruction

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Recent Developments

• Legislative Funding for FY0820.3 Million
• Awarding of 100 ACCESS DL Grants (Expansion III
  Sites)
• Alabama Administrative Code Changes
• Introduction of New Courses

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• How many 21st Century Classrooms have been
  established?
• 170

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What is essential to this 21st Century Classroom?

• Tablet Computers Document Camera
• Microsoft Office DVD/VCR
• Laptop Cart Wireless Router
• Printer/Phone/Fax
• Interactive Whiteboard
• Multimedia Projector
• Headphones w/Microphone (1 per Computer)
• USB Storage Device 256 mg. Min.
• Portable IVC Station (Including Presenter,
• Camera(s), Plasma Monitor, and Wheeled Cart)

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Alabama Administrative Code Changes

• Removed Restriction on Number of Credits Students
  can Earn Through Online Courses
• Added Wording to Allow Normal School Day to
  Include Night School, Summer School, and Other
  Extended Day Periods
• Added Language to Specifically Allow Homebound
  Students to Participate in Online Courses With
  the Approval of Local Superintendent

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Alabama Administrative Code Changes

• Added Requirement That Online Teachers be Highly
  Qualified in Content Area of Course Taught
• Added Language to Allow Local Schools to Include
  Honor Points, Weighting, and Other Special Grade
  Considerations in Accordance With Local Policies

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Increased Course Offerings
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How many schools and students are already
participating?

• 188 Schools Participating
• 7289 Student Enrollments From Summer 2006-Spring
  2007 (6278 in Courses and 1011 in AHSGE Modules)
• Approximately 2400 Enrollments in 2007 Summer
  School
• Approximately 4400 Enrollments in Fall 2007 (With
  an Additional 3300 in AHSGE Remediation Modules)

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• Who provides support?

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Next Steps

• The ACCESS Plan for Years 2-5 Proposes the
  Establishment of 21st Century Classrooms in Every
  Alabama Public High School by 2010.
• End of 200770 Sites 100
  Additional Sites in January
• 08
• 2010All High Schools

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What about students?

• The ACCESS Plan Proposes to
• Expand the number of students served to reach
  the goal of giving every high school student the
  opportunity to take at least one distance
  learning course during high school.
• 200710,000
• 201045,000

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IMPACT How can ACCESS help high schoolsnow?

• Advanced Diploma Courses
• Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment/Credit
  Courses
• Basic Core Courses
• Remediation and Supplemental Resources
• Teachers with 21st Century Skills
• Multimedia/Technology Tools to Enhance
  Instruction
• Leverage Existing Resources and Distance Learning
  Offerings

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Advanced Placement Courses

• 10 AP Courses Now Available
• 89 Students Enrolled in 2006
• 369 Students Enrolled in 2007

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Core Courses Can Help Increase High School
Graduation Rate

• Allow Students to Repeat Courses Failed and Stay
  On Track for Graduation
• Allow Students to Repeat Only One Semester of a
  Course
• Allow for Credit Recovery Options
• Provide Flexible Scheduling Options
• Provide Remediation Materials and Practice for
  the AHSGE

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Future

• Addition of Other Courses (Including Career/Tech
  Courses)
• Further Development of Blended Model
• Implementation of Teacher Mentoring Program
• Addition of More Virtual Field Trips
• Collaborations With Other Sections of the State
  Department of Education
• - Special Education (DYS, Corrections)
• - Federal Programs (ELL)
• - Classroom Improvement (Credit Recovery, AP
• Program)

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Is it working?

• Having the Distance Learning Lab has given our
  students a confidence that they can compete with
  other students . . . (Denise Stovall,
  Principal, R. A. Hubbard High School, Lawrence
  County)
• My students think that they have reached heaven.
  One student said that he wanted to live in that
  lab . . . the other student next to him told me
  that this was his favorite class ever! (Adina
  Stone, Latin I IVC and Online Teacher, Sheffield
  High School, Sheffield)
• What an exciting day! My students are so ampt
  (in their words, not mine). They are excited to
  be part of such a unique program. I too am
  enthusiastic. Thanks for the great opportunity .
  . . Alabama now has a source to offer educators
  and students access to education of the future
  ... and the future is now. (Samantha Smith,
  Creative Writing Teacher, Alma Bryant High
  School, Mobile)

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Is it working?

• ACCESS has helped the Dallas County School
  System maintain and expand course offerings when
  we were either unable to recruit or fund a highly
  qualified teacher. Without ACCESS, students at
  my high schools would not have been able to
  participate in courses such as Advanced Placement
  Calculus, Latin, Shakespeare, etc. The ACCESS
  service delivery model has also helped educators
  become more creative and innovative in the
  delivery of quality curricula. (Dr. Fannie L.
  Major-McKenzie, Superintendent, Dallas County
  School System)

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Contact Information
Questions and additional information Alabama
Department of Education Technology
Initiatives 334-242-9594 334-353-5886
(Fax) http//accessdl.state.al.us