INSPIRE, the Idaho Connections Academy, Meets State and Federal Accountability Standards
BOISE, Idaho, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ — INSPIRE, the Idaho Connections Academy school, one of the state’s leading providers of virtual education for grades K-12, has met the federal mandated No Child Left Behind targets in reading, math and overall Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) measures for the 2007-08 school year. AYP measures are based on standardized test participation and performance by all categories of students in a school, from low-income students to gifted and talented students to children with disabilities.
“Meeting AYP means we are finding effective ways to use our innovative learning technology to ensure individualized academic success for our diverse body of students,” said INSPIRE School Director Melissa Hegg. “Accomplishing our goals for growth and improvement demonstrates our dedication to providing our students and families with the highest quality education. I am proud of our exceptional, highly qualified teachers and our excellent students.”
Headquartered in Boise, through a first-of-its-kind partnership with Boise State University, INSPIRE is a virtual charter school that serves students in grades K-12 across the state. INSPIRE offers a unique, high-quality curriculum, which uses technology and more to deliver individualized instruction following a Personalized Learning Plan developed for each student.
INSPIRE meets the needs of students who are, for a variety of reasons, better suited to learning outside the traditional classroom, but who can benefit from public school resources such as textbooks, daily assignments, professional teacher support and opportunities for peer interaction and community activities. Because INSPIRE is a public school program, there is no tuition or fee to enroll. Students typically learn at home under the guidance of a certified Idaho teacher working closely with a parent or guardian.
INSPIRE provides each family with a computer and subsidized Internet and superior technical support to facilitate communication and management of lessons. In addition to the state-of-the-art technology tools, students are provided with text books and work books and have opportunities to interact with other students through INSPIRE-organized field trips.
According to Hegg, INSPIRE students are continually challenged in the academic arena and thrive with strong parental involvement, along with the expertise and accountability of public education. “The school’s flexible scheduling allows students to participate more easily in athletics, the arts, volunteer work and community and family activities,” said Hegg. “Connections between students, parents and teachers are enhanced through in-person field trips and gatherings.”
About INSPIRE, the Idaho Connections Academy
INSPIRE, the Idaho Connections Academy, is a virtual charter school that was approved by the Idaho Charter School Commission. INSPIRE serves students in grades K-12 from anywhere in Idaho. The INSPIRE charter includes a first-of-its-kind partnership with Boise State University. INSPIRE is part of the Connections Academy national network of 13 virtual public schools, operated by Connections Academy in partnership with charter schools, school districts, and state departments of education. Connections Academy schools deliver top-quality, personalized education for students that combines certified teachers, a proven curriculum, technology tools, and community experiences to create a supportive and successful environment for children who want an individualized approach to education. In 2008-09 Connections Academy will serve students in Arizona, California (Southern and Central), Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri (through the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program), Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin. In 2008-09 Connections Academy will offer grades K through 12, though some schools do not offer all grades. For more information, call 800-382-6010 or visit http://www.connectionsacademy.com/
Connections Academy
CONTACT: Allison Bazin, Connections Academy Public Relations,+1-609-247-0275, abazin@ConnectionsAcademy.com; Sandy Burke, Athena PublicRelations, +1-203-655-3475, sandy@athenapr.com, for Connections Academy
Web site: http://www.connectionsacademy.com/