TxVSN Frequently Asked Questions
Updated 2-16-2010
1. What is the Texas Virtual School Network?
During the 80th Texas Legislative Session, Senate Bill 1788 established a state virtual school network to provide online courses for Texas students. The legislation also set forth the operational, course evaluation, and professional development requirements. Region 10 Education Service Center, in collaboration with Harris County Department of Education, serves as TxVSN Central Operations to coordinate course registration and student enrollments, to ensure the eligibility of virtual school providers, provide an online catalog of approved courses, and to coordinate reporting requirements. Region 4 Education Service Center conducts the review of electronic courses to be offered in the TxVSN catalog. In addition, a cadre of professional development providers has been identified to train educators to deliver online instruction through the TxVSN.
The Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) first offered courses to students in Texas districts and open enrollment charter schools beginning January 2009. The inaugural course catalog offered courses for grades 9-12 that were reviewed to ensure 100% alignment with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills as well as the iNACOL National Standards of Quality for Online Courses. All courses offered through the TxVSN are provided by public school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, institutions of higher education, or education service centers. All high school courses are taught by an instructor that is Texas-certified in the course subject area and grade level that have completed a TxVSN approved professional development on effective online instruction.
The TxVSN provides courses to supplement the instructional programs of public school districts and open enrollment charter schools. Through regular review of student needs schools may determine that TxVSN online courses provide useful instructional options for some students. To participate in the TxVSN a district is required to complete an annual TxVSN agreement and provides designated “TxVSN site coordinators” to identify students with academic needs and learning styles appropriate for online learning. The district’s TxVSN Site Coordinators register and approve all student course enrollments.
Recently the 81st Texas Legislature provided funding for electronic courses provided by the TxVSN in House Bill 3646. All funding is contingent upon successful course completion by the high school student.
2. What happened with Senate Bill 955 and House Bill 1479 and the Texas Virtual School Network?
Language from SB 955 and HB 1479 was integrated into House Bill 3646, the School Finance Bill. HB 3646 has sections that added and amended TEC Chapter 30A “State Virtual School Network”.
3. Where can I find HB 3646?
HB 3646 is available on the Texas Legislature Online website at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/.
Enter HB 3646 in the Search Legislation box and click the Go button.
4. Is the state virtual school network the same as the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN)?
Yes
5. Are state virtual school "provider districts" entitled to an allotment of $400 and "receiver districts" $80?
Yes. Section 56 of HB 3646 created a "state virtual school allotment" by amending Subchapter C, Chapter 42, Education Code.
Funding for courses taken through the state virtual school (TxVSN) may be available if the following conditions and criteria are in place:
For each student who successfully completes an electronic course that:
§ satisfies a curriculum requirement for graduation adopted under Section 28.025 and is provided through the state virtual school network (TxVSN) ,
§ is part of the student’s normal course load. The agency will be proposing rule to define a normal course load as seven credits based on a seven period day.
then…
§ the school district or open-enrollment charter school that provided the course is entitled to an allotment of $400; and the school district or open-enrollment charter school in which the student is enrolled is entitled to an allotment of $80 to reimburse the district or school for associated administrative costs---- and ideally to mentor the student through the successful completion of the online course
It should be noted that while there is an appropriation to fund the state virtual school (TxVSN) allotment, there is not an unlimited appropriation, so equitable enrollment priorities will be established.
6. How is successful course completion defined?
A final grade of 70 or higher as assigned by the course provider district and that required course activities and assignments are complete by the student.
7. What if a student is successfully completes most of a course with a passing grade, but not the all the activities and assignments in the entire course? Will the state virtual school (TxVSN) allotment apply?
The allotment only applies if all required activities and assignments in the course are completed.
8. If my district participated in the Texas Virtual School Network last year, is that same agreement okay or must a new agreement be completed for this school year?
All agreements for provider districts and receiver districts are undergoing a revision process as a result of HB 3646. It will be necessary to complete new agreement and other processes to participate. Districts and open enrollment charters will be notified of new processes in the link located at the bottom of the “To the Administrator Addressed – Texas Virtual School Network” posted on September 2, 2009.
9. For purposes of allotment funding, is a course one semester (example: English I A) or two semesters (example: English I and B)?
For purpose of the state virtual school (TxVSN) allotment, a “course” is defined as one semester. For example: English I A is treated as a single course and English I B is treated as a single course.
10. How is a “normal course load” defined?
In general "normal course load" means the number of classes or credit hours generally required to be taken by a student to generate the full amount of funding provided for a student in average daily attendance for the fall and spring semester. However, to add clarification to the definition in HB 3646, the Texas Education Agency will be proposing rule to define a normal course load as seven credits based on a seven period day.
11. If a student wants to take a course that is a graduation requirement but outside the normal course load, is that course eligible for the state virtual school allotment?
Yes, but when the TxVSN site coordinator registers the student, he/she must indicate that the course is over the normal course load of seven credits over a seven period day.
12. Will districts who provide TxVSN approved courses to their own students receive both the provider district funds (up to $400.00) and the receiver district funds ($80.00) if their students successfully complete the course?
Districts that provide TxVSN approved courses are not allowed to receive provider or receiver district funds to serve their own students. The state provides FSP funds for a district to serve students in its attendance zone. The intent of the TxVSN (state virtual school) allotment is for a provider district to serve students from other districts. So if a district already has online courses available for its students, then it should serve those students outside the TxVSN and the allotment does not apply.
13. Are the funds provided to districts for TxVSN courses in addition to all other state ADA funding or is there any reduction in state funding for students who successfully complete?
TheTxVSN (state virtual school) allotment for successful completion of a TxVSN course is over and above a "receiver districts" state FSP funding.
14. Will districts receiving courses pay the course provider district then receive a reimbursement out of the TxVSN allotment if the student is successful?
Both the provider district and receiver district will report successful completions to the Texas Education Agency and then receive funding.
15. Will dual credit courses be eligible for TxVSN (state virtual school) allotment payments?
Yes, if the comparable high school course satisfies a curriculum requirement for graduation adopted under Section 28.025 and is provided through the state virtual school network (TxVSN).
It should be noted that the district or open enrollment charter school must ensure the student’s eligibility for dual credit, have an articulation agreement with the college or university, and facilitate application to and enrollment with the college or university.
16. If a student is taking an TxVSN online course for summer school will the allotment pay for the successfully completed course?
The allotment is not available for summer school. The receiving district must pay for the courses. The TxVSN (state virtual school) may only accept course payment from a district or open enrollment charter school. For information specific to Summer 2010 courses see http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/taa/stanprog020910.html
If you have additional questions please send email to the TxVN central mailbox at txvsncentral@txvsn.org or call the help desk at 1866.938.9876