North Carolina Virtual Public School Information

The North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) established by the North Carolina State Board of Education, is an online school community serving K-12 public school students throughout the state of North Carolina.

The purpose of the North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) is to provide courses that students are unable to take at their local schools. In other words NCVPS will provide courses that augment a student’s local school’s program of study.

For example a student may wish to take an AP course the local school does not offer. Another student may want to complete the remaining requirement for graduation this semester yet the course needed at the student’s school is already full this semester. Another student may be home bound or hospital bound due to illness or injury and wish to remain on schedule to graduate on time. Yet another student may wish to graduate from high school in three years.

NCVPS is not degree granting. Student progress reports will be provided to students and schools every 4 ½ weeks. When the course is successfully completed, credit is transferred to the local school for placement on the student’s transcript.

In addition to courses students may also register for additional services such as SAT or ACT test preparation as well as AP exam reviews.

The NCVPS budget absorbs the full operational cost of teaching courses on line. There is no cost to the participating school or student.

The NCVPS Instructional Model

The NCVPS utilizes an online educational environment to provide increased educational opportunities to public school students across the state through an anytime, anyplace instructional model. An anytime, anyplace instructional model accommodates scheduling flexibility, provides students opportunities to accelerate learning, extends students student learning beyond the traditional school day, and offers credit recovery options to students throughout the year.

To accommodate student needs and provide optimal flexibility, NCVPS online offerings are designed for an appropriate combination of synchronous and asynchronous delivery, affording students access to their courses 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Through web-based, asynchronous tools, such as discussion boards, email, file exchange, collaboration groups, and online testing, student-centered learning communities are established to promote student engagement and active learning in the online environment. All courses are instructor-led to facilitate group interaction, differential instruction, project based and inquiry learning, while increasing student-student and teacher-student exchanges.

In addition to the asynchronous online format, synchronous tools, such as whiteboard, text-based chat, Net Tutor, and telephone or V.O.I.P. are utilized to provide real-time communication and additional support to online students. Instructors are required to establish weekly online office hours to support individualized instructional needs through whiteboard instruction; communicate with students via phone collaborative opportunities.
(Visit the NCVPS website (www.ncvps.org) for more information on a wide array of instructional materials)

Student Enrollment Guidelines:

• NCVPS courses are for the independent student* / students will have access to instructors based on the office hours set up by the instructors
  
• NCVPS provides courses a student otherwise would not be able to enroll in at the student's local school. Students may take online courses from home, community center, or any location with appropriate hardware and Internet connection. The reasons to take an online course through NCVPS are many and include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
• NCVPS courses may accommodate students wanting to take courses not available locally
  
• NCVPS courses may accommodate students wanting to take courses whose sections at the local school are already full
  
• NCVPS courses may accommodate students who already have a full load and wish to take additional courses
  
• NCPVS courses may accommodate students whose schedule does not permit taking certain courses during the school day
  
• NCPVS courses may accommodate students whose special circumstances cannot be addressed locally
  
• NCVPS courses may accommodate students who want to graduate ahead of schedule from school
  

Additional Information:

• NCPVS can only accommodate students currently enrolled in a NC Public School
  
• Students should consult with their school counselor to see if the NCVPS online course of study is a proper fit
  
• In the high schools, each student shall carry a course load equal to the number of instructional periods in the school day (WCPSS Policy) and
  
• Students may only take one additional NCPVS course per semester (fall/spring and based on availability) **Only 1 AP course may be taken per year. If a student takes an AP course, they may not register for any additional NCVPS courses during the fall/spring semesters.
  
• Students may take two additional NCPVS courses in summer school (based on availability)
  

How to Register for a NCVPS Course:

1. Any student wishing to register for a NCVPS course must consult with their school counselor to determine if an independent online course is a right fit for them. Please see “Characteristics of Successful Online Learners” below.
2. Students must complete a Dual Enrollment Form (Student Services) Students who have not completed this form will NOT be approved. Forms must be returned to Ryan Haymore, Dean of Students .
3. Students must visit the NCVPS website (www.ncvps.org) to register and obtain information on the following:
   Course Offerings and Course Descriptions
   Minimal Computer Requirements
   Internet Browser Test
   Frequently Asked Questions
   Help Forum
   NCVPS Student and Course Registration
4. Student’s should complete the Student Registration Process online
5. Once the student registration process is completed, a request is forwarded to the school’s NCVPS Distance Learning Advisor for approval.

Students will receive a confirmation letter in writing or via email reporting the student’s enrollment in the selected NCVPS course.

Questions and/or concerns should be directed to the NCVPS Advisor (Ryan Haymore/ (856-7874).

Withdrawal Policy

A ten day drop/add period will be implemented for all NCVPS courses. The end of the drop/add period will be noted on the NCVPS academic calendar.

Several factors will be considered in enrolling students past the drop/add period. NCVPS reserves the right to make final decisions in enrolling students past the drop/add period.

Students may withdraw from a NCVPS course past the drop/add period. No credit, full or partial, will be awarded for non-completion of a course. A grade of “WF” will be recorded on the transcript if a student withdraws after the drop/add period.

Summer School 2007

The NCVPS will be offering a 2007 Summer Term program. Registration for courses will be from April and continue through June to accommodate student needs. Both credit recovery and accelerated course offerings will be made available. The credit recovery program runs for 5 weeks (June 15 –July 20), with the accelerated program running for an 8 week term (June 11-August 3).

NCVPS 2007-2008 Academic Year

The NCVPS 2007-2008 Academic Year accounts for 90 days, or 18 weeks of student instruction per semester. Fall semester begins on August 27 and runs through January 14, with January 15-18 set aside for exams and a brief semester break. Spring semester begins on January 22 and ends on June 4. For year-long courses, students begin on August 27 and continue through May 29.

Visit the NCVPS web site at www.ncvps.org for more information on Registration, Instructor Online Office Hours, Net Tutor, The Parent and Student Orientation Process and the Communication Network.

*Characteristics of Successful Online Learners

While distance learning opportunities provide tremendous benefits to students in regards to course offerings, student-centered instruction, flexible scheduling, and heightened critical thinking and written communication skills, there are specific learner characteristics that promote greater student success in online learning environments. The following guidelines may assist in identifying students for distance learning opportunities:

• Autonomous learners are generally skilled in the areas of responsibility and self-regulation, necessary for managing course assignments and deadlines through online environments.
  
• Academically motivated learners commonly exhibit an internal locus of control, affording online students the persistence necessary in achieving desired goals.
  
• Grade level reading ability is a critical determinant of student success in online environments, as much of the course is delivered through written communication.
  
• Proficiency in written communication is required of students, as online courses are dependent not only upon live classroom discussions but also upon group discussion boards and written assignment submissions.
  
• Basic computer skills are necessary for students to function in an online learning environment, as students will utilize word processing software, email capabilities, and Internet resources in completing assignments and activities.
  
• Parental support has also been found to promote student success in online learning, as parents will generally work to ensure students meet deadlines and have the necessary resources available to them.
  
• Computer and Internet access at home, although not required, can certainly provide an advantage to students participating in distance learning courses, as students, many times, prefer to continue their work on assignments and communications outside of their regular school, or even take courses at home during the evening or on week-ends.