VLN, which gave a presentation at The Consortium’s March Superintendents’ meeting, has developed an alternative that districts themselves can offer to bring students back and stop more from leaving. The South Side-based company will convert a district’s own courses and lesson plans into online modules so that homebound students and others needing cyber instruction can access them from off-campus. VLN also provides all of the hardware, technical support and live-teacher support that the off-campus students need. Annual per student fees for the turnkey package are 20% to 70% less than per student fees paid to cyber charters, the company estimates. In addition, VLN offers an expansive library of digital media that on-campus students can use to augment classroom studies or take courses not offered in their districts. Teachers also can access these tools for use in their classrooms.

Because the off-campus students follow their own district’s curriculum, they remain academically in step with peers when and if they return to their schools; they also can graduate from their home districts.

“In our view, this is what really sets VLN apart from the many vendors offering online options and from the cyber charters themselves,” said The Consortium’s Executive Director Linda Croushore. “Most kids don’t really want to leave their home districts and most parents don’t really want to take them away from their community schools. But the truth is, students who need online instruction or want it are forced to leave if districts offer them no alternative. By providing virtual learning options of their own, districts can give students a choice.”

Districts interested in exploring the options VLN offers can call VLN President Alex Stone at 412-381-0183. The company has generously offered a small contribution to support The Consortium’s programs whenever participating districts choose VLN.