Wisconsin Virtual School
Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS) was created as a statewide online program originating out of Cooperative Educational Service Agency #9 in 2000, and has operated independently as the state virtual school since 2008. WVS offers courses for students in grades 6-12 and served 5,511 course enrollments in SY 2014-15. WVS provides Wisconsin certified instructors, and standards based, innovative, engaging online courses. WVS is part of the Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative, a partnership between with the Wisconsin eSchool Network and the Department of Public Instruction, with a combined 25,000 online course enrollments in SY 2014-15. Districts choose WVS courses and services to expand and implement digital curriculum, easy start-up with no minimum enrollments, they retain local control over virtual education policies and procedures, the online options help keep students in the resident district rather than looking for online or blended education options elsewhere and WVS online courses prepare students for career and college readiness skills needed for higher education and the workforce.
Projects and highlights:
- As a collaborative partner in the Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative (WDLC), we are building an awareness of the partnership that connects school districts with the right path and right resources at the right time to implement digital learning initiatives and options for students.
- WVS participates in the REL Midwest Virtual Education Research Alliance (VERA). The REL Midwest Virtual Education Research Alliance developed and validated a survey that two states used to collect comprehensive data about how and why schools are using online learning for their students, as well as how schools are supporting and monitoring students enrolled in online courses. “Online Course Use in Iowa and Wisconsin Public High Schools: The Results of Two Statewide Surveys” were published in November 2014.
