Review Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 8/20/2021 - 7:00 PM
Category: Teaching, Learning and Leadership
Type: Info
Subject: ACPS Virtual Learning Update
ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 2: Instructional Excellence
ACPS will ensure that all students have access to and engagement with high-quality instruction.
Goal 5: Family and Community Engagement
ACPS will ensure that all families and community members feel welcomed, respected, and valued.
Policy: IA - Instructional Goals and Objectives
Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
File Attachment:
210820_Brief_ACPS_Virtual_Learning_Update.pdf
Agenda Item Summary: The purpose of this brief is to provide an update regarding the ACPS Virtual Learning implementation via Virtual Virginia (VVA). Virtual Virginia is a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) program and offers Advanced Placement (AP), world language, core academic, and elective courses to Virginia students. Students selecting Virtual Learning for the 2021-2022 school year remain ACPS students, with ACPS retaining the ADM for these students.
Background: ACPS families were asked to complete a Learning Choice form for summer learning and fall learning with a deadline of May 24, 2021, if they wished to select Virtual Learning as their choice for the 2021-2022 school year. The May 24, 2021, deadline was necessary for ACPS staff to enroll and register these students in the VVA Student Information System (SIS) prior to VVA’s guaranteed course availability date of July 15, 2021. As of June 14, 2021, 870 families had opted into Virtual Learning.

On July 15, 2021, when course requests were submitted to VVA for invoicing, 78 families had requested to reconsider their virtual option and return to in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year. An invoice request for the 792 remaining students was submitted to VVA on July 15, 2021, totaling $1,113,650.00 for the first semester. VVA stipulates that enrollments are non-refundable and non-transferrable. As of August 19, 2021, 282 additional families had chosen to return to in-person learning for a total of 510 students continuing with virtual learning via VVA.

VVA fees for students in grades K-5 are $2,275.00 per semester and $225 per semester course for grades 6-12. At the middle school and high school levels, students are enrolled in a total of 7 to 8 courses for an average cost of $1,575 to $1,800 per 6-12 grade student. At an average per pupil spending rate of $1,925 to $2,037.5 per student (see calculation below), ACPS will pay VVA $542,850.00 to $574,575.00 for students who will no longer be participating in virtual courses via VVA.

Average K-5 course enrollment fee + average 7 class enrollment fee, divided by two:
$2,275 +$1,575= $3,850. $3,850 divided by 2=$1,925 (7 class average at the secondary level)
$2,275+ $1,800= $4,075. $4,075 divided by 2=$2,037.5 (8 class average at the secondary level)

Although VVA does not guarantee course availability after July 15, 2021, since that date, approximately 200 ACPS families have requested to switch from in-person learning to virtual learning for the upcoming school year due to concerns with the Delta variant, health concerns, and their child(ren) being unvaccinated. ACPS staff have requested late enrollments with VVA, but have only secured four seats in VVA for these families.

ACPS is in the process of obtaining the required textbooks for the remaining 510 students taking their courses via VVA as VVA does not provide all required textbooks and materials. The purchase of these textbooks is an additi
Recommendation: The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review the information within this brief.
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Dr. Terri H. Mozingo - Chief Academic Officer
Signed By:
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. - Superintendent