COURSE COST FAQs
Q. How much will TxVSN course cost?
A. Each Provider will establish a course cost; however, the semester cost may not exceed $400 per seat. The cost of each provider’s course cost will be displayed in the in the TxVSN catalog so receiving districts may make an informed choice.
Q. What must a district or open enrollment charter school do to purchase a course set for a student?
A. In order to purchase courses through the TxVSN, each district and open enrollment charter school should establish a TxVSN account with Central Operations at ESC Region 10. Establishing an authorized purchasing approver and a preferred method of payment early on will expedite course purchases during peak registration periods. It is possible to have a single district central office purchasing approver or an approver per campus. It is recommended that central office and campus staff discuss which model works best with local purchasing procedures. See www.txvsn.org and click on the TxVSN Finance link to set up an account.
Q. May a district charge a student for a course taken through the TxVSN?
A. The TxVSN may only accept payment from a Texas public school district or open enrollment charter school. The public school district or open enrollment charter school must determine if the LEA or the student is responsible for TxVSN course cost.
Q. May a district or open enrollment charter school add an administrative fee over and above the TxVSN course cost and charge it back to the student?
A. The TxVSN cannot authorize administrative fees over and above the course cost noted in the catalog.
COURSE REVIEW PROCESS FAQs
Q. Will information for the TxVSN Course Review process be updated?
A. Yes. Information and clarifications will be made on a needed basis to the Course Review section of the TxVSN web site. Please continue to check the site for important updates.
Q. What is an electronic course?
A. Definition of Electronic Course (online course):
- Instruction and content are delivered primarily over the Internet
- A student and teacher are in different locations for the majority of the student’s instructional period
- Most instructional activities take place in an online environment
- The online instructional activities are integral to the academic program
- Extensive communication between a student and a teacher and among students is emphasized
- A student is not required to be located on the physical premises of a school district or open-enrollment charter school
An electronic course is intended to be taught fully online. A student will not be required to travel to a face to face or video conferencing location as a requirement to complete the course.
Q. Who is eligible to act as a provider district?
A. Any school district rated academically acceptable or higher under Section 39.072, open-enrollment charter school rated recognized or higher under Section 39.072, public or private institution of higher education, or Education Service Center.
Q. When will the provider districts be notified of review results?
A. August 31, 2008.
Q. Can the potential provider district fill out the Application and Submittal Forms and submit them at the same time?
A. Yes. This will allow an efficient process for starting reviews. At the close of the Course Submission Window, Region 4 will verify with TxVSN Central Operations that each potential provider district who has submitted courses has been approved through the application process.
Q. Some of my courses are one semester long. For example, I have an Algebra 1A course and an Algebra 1B course. Can I submit just one of those courses or should I submit both for review?
A. It is up to the potential provider district which courses they would prefer to submit. Keeping in mind that each course will be reviewed against the full set of TEKS, semester courses may fall short of meeting required TEKS alignment. Courses submitted in tandem, e.g., Algebra 1A and Algebra 1B, will be reviewed separately, but by the same review team to establish overall TEKS alignment for both courses in tandem.
Q. Should the course I submit have an active instructor?
A. Although not required, it is advantageous for courses to be reviewed with an active instructor facilitating the course. The National Standards of Quality for Online Courses includes criterion that addresses the instructor’s interaction with students.
PARENT FAQs
Q. What is Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN)?
A. The Texas Virtual School Network or TxVSN is the result of Senate Bill 1788, that was passed in the senate on May 1, 2007. This bill allowed the creation of a state virtual school network. Through this bill, students across the state will be able to take courses via the Internet and receive credit.
Q. How can TxVSN help my student?
A. TxVSN is an option for students that;
Q. What grade levels are eligible to take a course in TxVSN?
A. Approved courses will be offered beginning in the Spring of the 2008-2009 school year to grades 9-12.
Q. Is my student eligible to take a TxVSN course?
A. A student is eligible to enroll in a course provided by TxVSN only if;
- The student is younger than 21 years of age on September 1 of the school year
- Has not graduated from high school; and
- Is otherwise eligible to enroll in a public school in this state
Students may enroll in courses full-time only if;
- The student was enrolled in a public school in the state of Texas the preceding year, or;
- The student is a dependent of a member of the United States Military, and;
- was previously enrolled in high school in the state of Texas and does not reside in the state due to military deployment or transfer
PROVIDER DISTRICT FAQs
Q. What is a Provider District?
A. Provider Districts are;
- Eligible school districts,
- A school or schools in an eligible school district
- Eligible open-enrollment charter schools
- Public or private institutions of higher education
All named entities above may be a provider of online courses for the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) if eligibility requirements are met.
Q. What are the eligibility requirements Provider District must meet?
A. The district providing online courses must be rated academically acceptable or higher in TxVSN.
Open-enrollment charter schools are also eligible to act as a provider of online courses in TxVSN if the school is rated recognized or higher, and may serve as a provider school only:
- To a student within the school district in which the school is located or with in its service area, whichever is smaller; or
- To another student in the state through an agreement with the administering authority under section 30A.153.
Q. Are Provider Districts required to provide computer equipment for the homes of students that participate in TxVSN?
A. No. Provider Districts and open-enrollment charter schools are not required to provide computer equipment or Internet access to students that take a course through TxVSN.
However, a school district or open-enrollment charter school is not prohibited from providing a student with home computer equipment or Internet access to take a course or courses provided through TxVSN.
Q. Who can Provider Districts serve?
A. Provider school districts or open-enrollment charter schools may offer electronic courses to students who reside in the state of Texas. A student who is enrolled in a school district or an open-enrollment charter school in the state of Texas may take one or more online courses through TxVSN.
Electronic courses can be offered to students enrolled in the provider district or enrolled in a school outside of the provider district. There will be contracts between the provider district and the district receiving the services.
Q. What about students that are not enrolled in a school district or open enrollment charter school?
A. A student who resides in this state but who is not enrolled in a school district or open-enrollment charter school in the state of Texas may enroll in online courses through TxVSN under certain conditions.
Q. Can students outside of Texas take courses in TxVSN?
A. Students who reside outside of the state of Texas and who meet the eligibility requirements may take courses from TxVSN.
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY FAQs
Q. Who can take an online course through the Texas Virtual School Network?
A. A student is eligible to enroll in a course provided by TxVSN only if;
Students may enroll in courses full-time only if;
Q. What grade levels are eligible to take a course in TxVSN?
A. Approved courses will be offered beginning in the spring of the 2008-2009 school year to grades 9-12.
(More content will be added as questions arise)