Funding

The Florida Virtual School and Pearson have teamed up to offer Pearson Virtual Learning powered by FLVS  Schools will have access to not just online courses, but a customized credit recovery program called "Learning Recovery", AP courses, and professional development.

This new partnership is well timed to take advantage of a number of macro trends that are driving online learning growth. Thirteen of the governors that won their 2010 elections had online learning in their education platforms. Half the states are facing deep budget gaps for the foreseeable future and the federal conversation has shifted from "stimulus" to "austerity" leading policymakers to look for ways to do more with less.  This environment could actually spur more growth in online learning given the cost effectiveness to scale professional development and college-ready courses such as AP.  Transition to Common Core could also spark new demand as schools look to online courses to fill in course caps.  

Press releases below. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Florida Legislative Leaders Announce Worldwide Online Education Business Expansion

Florida Virtual School and Pearson to Accelerate Online Learning Opportunities

Orlando, FL (November 17, 2010) – Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannonannounced today an alliance between Florida Virtual School (FLVS) and Pearson Education, Inc., a global leader in education, technology and services. Under the agreement, Pearson will offer schools outside the state of Florida and across the globe more than 100 FLVS courses, including core courses in all disciplines, Advanced Placement, Career and Technology courses, and electives for grades 6-12. The courses will be aligned to the new Common Core State Standards. FLVS will continue to offer online courses within Florida. As the state’s premier public virtual school, this relationship will only serve to strengthen the products and services to the students and families in the state of Florida.

Senator Haridopolis commented, ―Over a decade ago, Florida’s state leaders had the vision to invest in Florida Virtual School as the country’s first statewide public online school. Since that time, FLVS has built a program that has garnered national acclaim for our state. This agreement will help pave the way to expand and share innovative learning opportunities for 21st Century students

―When it comes to education, Florida has been a leader among its peers, and this agreement with Pearson and FLVS will revolutionize learning opportunities not only in Florida but on a global scale,‖ said State Representative, Cannon. ―Florida Virtual School’s online learning has improved the quality of instruction, while increasing productivity and lowering costs, ultimately reducing the burden on taxpayers as well as employing thousands of Floridians.‖

Impressive data from an independent research study confirms that students learning through Florida Virtual School dramatically increased their performance, including a high student course completion rate with passing grades, and improved scores on state tests. These results have proven to be a cost-effective model for delivering instruction.

FLVS President & CEO Julie Young added, "The opportunity to partner with Pearson is a monumental step forward in accomplishing our long-standing goals and mission at FLVS — to provide every child an engaging, personal, and unique learning experience."

Pearson’s CEO for Schools Peter Cohen, said, "Our agreement with Florida Virtual School is one more step in recognizing the cosmic effect of technology in revolutionizing education. Digital learning allows teachers to customize education for each individual student. Through this alliance, we will expand Pearson’s existing virtual offerings and move forward with our commitment to transform education through technology and set each child on the path to success in school and in life."

The agreement will make it possible for Florida’s schools, FLVS, and national and global school customers to provide a variety of new or advanced courses that they might otherwise not have the resources to offer. These new virtual courses will allow educators to customize offerings for students’

individual interests and abilities. The courses provide online learning opportunities for students who live in rural areas, who are homebound, or who may need an online summer school option. The online school is also a valuable resource for those who are homeschooling their children.

The Pearson and Florida Virtual School agreement provides the opportunity to reverse the school dropout rate by providing learning recovery courses for students who have to make up coursework in order to graduate. These courses are available at any time of the year and provide students with pre-tests, instruction, discussion-based assessments and post-tests.

# # #

About Florida Virtual School (FLVS)

Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is an established leader in developing and providing virtual K-12 education solutions to students all over Florida, the US and the world. A nationally recognized eLearning model and recipient of numerous awards, FLVS was founded in 1997 and was the country’s first, state-wide internet based public high school. Today, FLVS serves full-time and part-time students in grades K-12 and provides a variety of custom solutions for schools and districts to meet student needs. FLVS aims to deliver a high quality, technology-based education that provides the skills and knowledge students need for success in the 21st Century. Its vision is to transform education and create possibilities for learners worldwide. For more information, go to www.flvs.net

About Pearson

As the world’s leading education company and leader in learning, content, technology, assessment and education services, Pearson is committed to improving the lives of people everywhere. We do this by providing support to build a stronger education system and offer personalized opportunities for students of all ages to learn at their own pace, in their own way. Our success is founded in partnering with education stakeholders to deliver innovative products, technologies and services that respond to challenges to education and help improve student achievement. Pearson is making unprecedented levels of investment in new models for education and supporting key elements of the reform agenda: Common Core standards, college and career readiness, teacher effectiveness, school improvement, and custom solutions for schools and colleges. Visit www.pearson.com.

Media Contacts:

Florida Virtual School – Star Kraschinsky, skraschinsky@flvs.net - 407.513.3456

Pearson – Kate Miller, kate.miller@pearson.com – 800.745.8489

Pearson and Florida Virtual School Announce Agreement

Private/Public Alliance to Accelerate Reach of Online Learning Opportunities

Orlando, FL and New York, NY, November 17, 2010 -- A private/public alliance between Pearson and Florida Virtual School (FLVS) will accelerate virtual learning opportunities around the world for millions of school students who have grown up smack in the middle of the technology revolution.

The new Pearson Virtual Learning powered by Florida Virtual School will offer schools throughout the US and across the globe more than 100 FLVS courses in all subject areas for grades 6-12, including advanced placement and career and technology courses. The virtual courses will be aligned to the new Common Core state standards.

Pearson CEO for Schools Peter Cohen said, "Our agreement with Florida Virtual School is one more step in recognizing the cosmic effect of technology in revolutionizing education. Digital learning allows teachers to customize education for each individual student. Through this alliance, we will expand Pearson's existing virtual offerings and move forward with our commitment to transform education through technology and set each child on the path to success in school and in life."

FLVS President & CEO Julie Young said, "The opportunity to partner with Pearson is a monumental step forward in accomplishing our long-standing goals and mission at FLVS -- to provide every child an engaging, personal, and unique learning experience." Young noted that FLVS will retain its existing operation as a Florida public school.

Impressive data from an independent research study confirms that students learning through Florida Virtual School dramatically increased their performance, including a high student completion rate with passing grades, and improved scores on state tests. These results have proven to be a cost-effective model for delivering instruction.

Cohen said the new agreement will make it possible for schools to provide a variety of new or advanced courses that they might otherwise not have the resources to offer. These new virtual courses will allow educators to customize offerings for students' individual interests and abilities. The courses provide online learning opportunities for students who live in rural areas, who are homebound, or who may need an online summer school option. The online school is also a valuable resource for those who are homeschooling their children.

The Pearson and Florida Virtual School agreement provides the opportunity to reverse the school dropout rate by providing learning recovery credits for students who have to make up coursework in order to graduate. These courses are available at any time of the year and provide students with pre-tests, instruction, discussion-based assessments and post-tests.

In addition to full course availability, schools have the option to purchase courses for their own teachers to use or modify, and the courses will integrate with their existing learning management systems. Comprehensive services in customized teacher professional development, student management and systems integration services are available through Pearson Virtual Learning powered by Florida Virtual School. For more information, visit http://www.pearsonschool.com/virtuallearning.

About Pearson

As the world's leading education company and leader in learning, content, technology, assessment and education services, Pearson is committed to improving the lives of people everywhere. We do this by providing support to build a stronger education system and offer personalized opportunities for students of all ages to learn at their own pace, in their own way. Our success is founded in partnering with education stakeholders to deliver innovative products, technologies and services that respond to challenges to education and help improve student achievement. Pearson is making unprecedented levels of investment in new models for education and supporting key elements of the reform agenda: Common Core standards, college and career readiness, teacher effectiveness, school improvement, and custom solutions for schools and colleges. Visit http://www.pearson.com.

About Florida Virtual School (FLVS)

Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is an established leader in developing and providing virtual K-12 education solutions to students all over Florida, the US and the world. A nationally recognized eLearning model and recipient of numerous awards, FLVS was founded in 1997 and was the country's first, state-wide internet based public high school. Today, FLVS serves full-time and part-time students in grades K-12 and provides a variety of custom solutions for schools and districts to meet student needs. FLVS aims to deliver a high quality, technology-based education that provides the skills and knowledge students need for success in the 21st Century. Its vision is to transform education and create possibilities for learners worldwide. For more information, go to http://www.flvs.net.

Contact

Pearson - Kate Miller, kate.miller@pearson.com - 800.745.8489
Florida Virtual School - Star Kraschinsky, skraschinsky@flvs.net - 407.513.3456

Full disclosure, we work with FLVS and other online providers.  

The Federal Communications Commission announced that the guidelines for the $10 million E-Rate Deployed Ubiquitously (EDU) 2011 Pilot Program.  Details are available over at the FCC website and also below.

The EDU program allows E-Rate eligible schools and libraries to pilot the use of E-Rate funding for off-school/library grounds wireless access for mobile learning devices. The grant guidelines suggest that they're looking for projects that are already somewhat established.   that have already planned or are operating wireless projects.

The FCC says that the goal of this pilot is to “investigate the merits and challenges of wireless off-premises connectivity services for mobile learning devices and to help the Commission determine whether and how these services should ultimately be eligible for E-Rate support.”  The recent changes to improve and streamline the E-rate are welcomed and long overdue, but there still seems to be a strange timidity in terms of modernizing the program to recognize the realities of today's technology environment.  Mary Meeker's report yesterday painted a much different picture of mobile technology.  Her question to CEOs wasn't, "investigate the merits" but rather "you need to be prepared for this now."  Hopefully, we'll see the EDU pilot lead to broader reforms of the E-rate to make it friendlier to online and mobile learning.  

WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU ANNOUNCES APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE E-RATE DEPLOYED UBIQUITOUSLY (EDU) 2011 PILOT PROGRAM

WC Docket No. 10-222

Application Deadline:  December 17, 2010

On September 28, 2010, the Commission released the Sixth Report and Order in the above-captioned proceeding. The order upgraded and modernized the schools and libraries universal service support program (also known as the E-rate program) to encourage the expansion of fast, affordable Internet access in schools and libraries across the country.[1]  As part of the Sixth Report and Order, the Commission launched a pilot program − EDU2011 – to investigate the merits and challenges of wireless off-premises connectivity services for mobile learning devices, and to help the Commission determine whether and how those services should ultimately be eligible for E-rate support.[2]  As part of this pilot program, the Commission authorized up to $10 million for funding year 2011 to support a small number of innovative, interactive off-premise wireless connectivity projects for schools and libraries.  The Commission anticipates that EDU2011 funding will be provided only to wireless projects that have already been planned (but may be awaiting funding) or are currently underway, to enable the Commission to evaluate how best to use E-rate support for successful wireless projects.  Support under this program will not be provided for the portable devices or equipment, but rather for the connectivity services.

To be considered for the EDU2011 funding, applicants must address the application requirements listed below and submit their applications to the Commission on or before December 17, 2010.  Applications that do not address all the requirements or are filed after the deadline date will not be considered for the EDU2011 funding.

EDU2011 Application Requirements:

Applicant Wireless Program. On the date the Sixth Report and Order was adopted (September 23, 2010) eligible applicants already should have implemented or begun the process of implementing[3] a program to provide off-premise connectivity to students or library patrons through the use of portable wireless devices. 

Application Length.  Applications shall be no longer than 20 pages including any exhibits.  Any relevant technology planning documents (see number 8, below), however, do not count toward the 20 page limit.  The Commission will not review any application that is greater than 20 pages in length.

Required Information (all applicants).  The application must contain the following information for all applicants:  

(1)         a full description of the current or planned Applicant Wireless Program, including but not limited to:

1. the nature of the Applicant Wireless Program, including the extent to which the use of connectivity is interactive and utilizes the Internet,
2. how long the Applicant Wireless Program  has been in operation and the mobile wireless device(s) being used,
3. a description of any technical issues associated with implementing the Applicant Wireless Program, including an analysis of any problems with the availability of wireless access to students or patrons off the school or library premises and how those issues are being or will be addressed by the school or library,
4. what training has been or will be provided to teachers, librarians, students or parents to implement the Applicant Wireless Program, and
5. the extent to which the Applicant Wireless Program is integrated with federal, Tribal, state, regional or local governmental or non-profit initiatives to achieve educational or community access outcomes;

(2)         the poverty level based on the percentage of students eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch under the national school lunch program (NSLP) or a federally approved alternative mechanism, and the current discount rate of the school or library;

(3)         the financial need of the school or library, including any additional budgetary hardships, notwithstanding the school or library’s current discount rate;

(4)         all costs, including those eligible for E-rate support and those not eligible for E-rate support, associated with implementing the Applicant Wireless Program, including but not limited to costs for equipment such as e-readers or laptops, access and connection charges, teacher training, librarian training, or student/parent training;

(5)         the committed school or library resources available to implement the entire Applicant Wireless Program, including whether those funds are from the school or library’s general budget or from an outside funding source;

(6)         the effect EDU2011 support for off-premise connectivity is likely to have upon the school’s or library’s projects;

(7)         an analysis of the cost-effectiveness of the current or planned Applicant Wireless Program as compared to the use of other types of technology that would also meet the Program’s objectives; 

(8)         any relevant technology planning documents and, if applicable, a statement of long-term objectives for the Program;

(9)         a description of the specific measures taken, or that will be taken, to ensure compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act and measures to protect against waste, fraud, and abuse; and

(10)     a description of internal policies and enforcement procedures governing acceptable use of the wireless devices used in the Program off the school or library’s premises.

Required Information (libraries only).  The applications filed by libraries also must contain the following information:

(1)   the location of the library;

(2)   the name of the library applicant, along with a complete list of the individual libraries that will be served, including their billed entity numbers;

(3)   a description of the library or library system, such as the specific community(ies) served and the number of branches or locations; and

(4)   a description of how the program facilitates access in the community to needed services, such as job applications, governmental services, job training, online learning opportunities, and any other community services.

Required Information (schools only).  The applications filed by schools also must contain the following information:

(1)   the location of the school;

(2)   the name of the school applicant, along with a complete list of the individual schools that will be served, including their billed entity numbers;

(3)   a description of the school district or school, including the type of school, such as private, public, charter, or other special type of school;

(4)   a description of the Program’s curriculum objectives, the grade levels included, and the number of students and teachers involved and/or being served as part of the program; and

(5)   a summary of any data collected by the school on Program outcomes and achievement of Program objectives.

Applicants must also apply for E-rate funding by following the regular E-rate program rules.  Specifically, in addition to the information requested above, eligible schools and libraries must submit an FCC Form 471 application to USAC during the regular application window.  We direct applicants to file an FCC Form 471 application specifically for the wireless connectivity services to be used off-premises as part of the program for which the applicant is seeking funding and file a separate FCC Form 471 for any services to be used on premises. Applicants should type “EDU2011” in the form identifier field of the FCC Form 471 application for the wireless connectivity services to be used off-premises.  Applicants should also list all of the schools and/or libraries that will be receiving the off-site wireless connectivity services in Block 4 of the FCC Form 471 application.  Because potential applicants will most likely already be using portable wireless devices in their school or library, applicants may have an established relationship with a service provider.  Therefore, the Commission has waived, to the extent necessary, the applicable sections of the Commission’s E-rate competitive bidding rules for those EDU2011 pilot program applicants that have already entered into legally binding agreements with service providers for off-premises connectivity for portable wireless devices.[4]

The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) will notify applicants and USAC when it has selected applicants to participate in the EDU2011 program.  Selected applicants will receive the allotted connectivity support and will not be required to cost-allocate the dollar amount of support for the time that portable devices are not on school or library premises.[5]  Applicants will receive funds sufficient to cover the amount of connectivity expenses eligible for E-rate funding based on their discount; they will still be required to pay their non-discount share.  After the one-year trial period, participants will be required to submit a report to the Bureau describing in detail any data collected as a result of the program and a narrative describing lessons learned from the program, which may assist other schools and libraries desiring to adopt similar programs in the future.

EDU2011 Application Filing Procedures:

Eligible schools and libraries may submit their applications either (1) by using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or (2) by filing paper copies.  All applications submitted as part of the EDU2011 pilot program must refer to WC Docket No. 10-222. 

• Electronic Filers:  Applications may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/.

• Paper Filers:  Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail.  All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.

• All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12^th St., SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554.  The filing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.   All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners.  Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. 

• Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD  20743.

• U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 445 12^th Street, SW, Washington DC  20554.

Eligible schools and libraries may also send a courtesy copy of their filing via email to EDU2011pilot@fcc.gov or by mail to Regina Brown, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12^th Street, S.W., Room 5-A360, Washington, D.C. 20554 or Rebekah Bina, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12^th Street, S.W., Room 5-B521, Washington, D.C. 20554. 

For further information, please contact Regina Brown or Rebekah Bina, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-7400 or TTY (202) 418-0484.

- FCC -