FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR
INFORMATION CALL
December 15, 2000 (217)
782-4648 or 312-814-3490
Springfield – Governor George H. Ryan and the
Illinois State Board of Education today announced that registration will open
December 19th for online courses next semester at the new Illinois
Virtual High School (IVHS).
IVHS is a network of online courses that will provide
Illinois students and teachers increased access to a wider range of course
offerings that might not be available in their own schools. When fully operational, the Virtual High
School will serve thousands of students throughout the state. Initially, the
virtual site will offer 16 courses with curriculum aligned to the Illinois Learning
Standards, and 10 review classes for Advance Placement tests.
“The Illinois Virtual High School is an important step in
our plans to create and expand educational opportunity for all high school
students, regardless of whether they live in cities or rural areas,” said
Governor George H. Ryan. “Students in small towns will be able to take foreign
languages and math classes that may not be offered in their schools; and
students in Chicago will be able to study agriculture and science classes that
aren’t offered in their schools. This is a great use of high technology and it
will help better prepare high school graduates for college and life.”
The Illinois State Board of Education is conducting a
satellite teleconference and streaming video cybercast on December 19 from
1:15-3 p.m. for school superintendents and high school principals to learn more
about IVHS offerings and how to handle student registrations. Registration for
online courses will open at that time and will run through January 19. Students
must enroll through their local school district. Courses will begin in January
for the spring 2001 semester.
IVHS online courses are available to Illinois public school
districts, non-public high schools and home-schooled students as a way to
expand local curriculum and to help ensure that all students have the
opportunities they need to meet the Illinois Learning Standards. By 2002, the
IVHS will begin offering teachers high-quality professional development
opportunities and other support to schools as they integrate technology into
classroom teaching and learning.
“The partnership that has developed the Illinois Virtual
High School draws on a wealth of expertise to deliver virtual courses through
high-quality technology,” said State Superintendent of Education Glenn W.
McGee. “IVHS will serve our state well and set us on a course to be Second
to None in online learning.”
The Illinois Virtual High School is made possible by
broad-based partnerships that began with distance learning and online
programming supported by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, The Illinois
Community College Board, The Governor’s Office, Lake Land College, the Illinois
Mathematics and Science Academy and various state associations and local
educators. This Partnership has grown to include eCollege.com of Denver,
Colorado.
eCollege will serve as the portal for student registration
and will provide academic services and help-desk support to access online
courses it has developed. Other IVHS
offerings have been developed and licensed through other partners, including
Class.com, Apex Learning.com, The Learning Station.com, the Florida OnLine High
School and the Kentucky Virtual High School.
For more information on exact satellite sites or to access
the cybercast, go to ISBE’s website at www.isbe.net.
