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April 25, 2008
TEA identifies partners in Texas Virtual School Network
AUSTIN – The Texas Education Agency has announced key partnerships with local education service centers and a number of other entities in the launching of the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN).
TxVSN, which was authorized by the Texas Legislature in 2007, will provide online courses through the Internet to students throughout Texas. Classes are scheduled to begin in the spring of 2009.
The partners in the effort are:
- Region 10 Education Service Center (ESC) in Richardson in collaboration with the Harris County Department of Education will serve as headquarters for network operations.
- Region 4 Education Service Center in Houston, which will review electronic courses and ensure they meet state standards.
- Five professional development providers who will train educators who will teach electronic courses through the network. These five providers are the Education Development Center, Inc.; ESC Region 4; ESC Region 11 in Fort Worth; Harris County Department of Education; and Texas A&M University Center for Distance Learning Research.
The first online courses for grades 9-12 will be reviewed for the network beginning in summer 2008. The courses will be assessed against the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills curriculum standards and the National Standards for Quality Online Courses endorsed by the North American Council for Online Learning.
A list of the initial approved course offerings will be available in the fall of the 2008-2009 school year. A schedule will be developed for the ongoing review process for additional courses and professional development providers.
Information about course offerings, approved professional development providers and participation in the TxVSN will be posted online at www.tea.state.tx.us/technology/txvsn. Questions about the TxVSN should be sent to txvsn@tea.state.tx.us.
Contact:
Division of Communications
1701 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78757
Phone: (512) 463-9000
E-mail: teainfo@tea.state.tx.us