K12′s Florida Virtual Academy Receives an ‘A’ for the 2008-2009 Academic Year

FLVA continues to be top-scoring public virtual school in the state

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The K12 Florida Virtual Academy (FLVA) received an “A” from the Florida Department of Education for the 2008-2009 academic year. This marks the third year in a row FLVA was given the highest score for a Florida public school.

The Florida Department of Education gives every public school an overall grade based primarily upon student achievement data from the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). School grades are calculated based on annual learning gains of each student toward achievement of Sunshine State Standards, the progress of the lowest quartile of students, and the meeting of proficiency standards.

For the sixth year in a row, the percent of K12 Florida Virtual Academy students scoring proficient or higher exceeded the state averages in most grades and subjects tested. The school’s overall proficiency levels in math and reading increased from the previous year and its students once again posted strong learning gains.

In reading, FLVA beat the state scores by a wide margin in every grade, with proficiency levels between 17 and 29 points higher than the state averages. FLVA math scores were above the state averages in five out of six grades, and the school’s science scores exceeded the state averages.

FLVA continues to be the top-scoring virtual public school in the state, outperforming the state’s other K-8 virtual school program in a majority of grades and subjects tested.

“Receiving an ‘A’ is a great achievement for our school program and a credit to the hard work of our teachers, students, parents, and staff,” said Patty Betoni, FLVA Head of School and Director of K12 Virtual Instruction Programs. “The K12 team is dedicated to academic excellence and delivering the best public virtual school program to Florida’s students. We’re proud of our six year track record of success as the highest achieving public virtual school program in the state. We’re excited about our future and the opportunity to extend the successful K12 virtual school program to more students across Florida through our district partnerships.”

FLVA uses the high quality and innovative learning program developed by K12 Inc., the nation’s leading provider proprietary curriculum and online school programs for students in kindergarten through high school. K12 has delivered over one million semester courses to students in the U.S. and around the world. K12 also has the largest national network of full-time, K-12 online public school teachers, providing more than 1,600 teachers with extensive training, professional development, management and support.

School districts across Florida are now partnering with K12 – a state-approved provider – to offer the K12 virtual school program for their students under the state’s School District Virtual Instruction program.

FLVA students receive an individualized learning program using the K12 curriculum. They learn outside the classroom and receive instruction, support and oversight from state-certified teachers in partnership with a learning coach – a parent or responsible adult – who provides guidance and assistance. Students access their web-based lessons through the K12 Online School (OLS) and also use other off-line education materials (textbooks, workbooks, math and science supplies, hands-on projects, and much more). They are required to meet accountability standards, including academic and attendance requirements, and participate in state assessments in a proctored setting.

FLVA teachers assign lessons, provide instruction, and regularly interact with students and parents via email, web-based classrooms, online discussions, phone, and face-to-face meetings. Teachers also organize a variety of school outings for students and families.

More information on FLVA and the K12 virtual school programs in Florida can be found at www.flva.org.

About K12 Inc.

K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), a technology-based education company, is the nation’s leading provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs to students in kindergarten through high school. K12 provides its curriculum and academic services to online schools, traditional classrooms, blended school programs, and directly to families. K12 has delivered over one million semester courses to students worldwide. Currently, more than 50,000 students in 21 states are enrolled in online public schools that use the K12 program. K12 Inc. also operates the K12 International Academy, an accredited, diploma-granting online private school serving students in over 35 countries.

K12 Inc. is accredited through the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA). It is the largest national K-12 online school provider to be recognized by CITA.

K12′s mission is to provide any child the curriculum and tools to maximize success in life, regardless of geographic, financial, or demographic circumstances. More information can be found at www.K12.com.

SOURCE Florida Virtual Academy