Inside the Online School That Could Radically Change How Kids Learn Everywhere

There is no entrance exam, screening or application required to attend VLACS, which is free for any New Hampshire student.

On average, the school’s full-time students typically equal or modestly exceed New Hampshire average scores on state reading and math tests, as well as on the SAT.

The secret to VLACS’ success may be that it does things differently from most virtual schools. It puts a focus on building strong student-teacher relationships. It breaks up traditional courses into specific skills and abilities, called "competencies," that students master through a personalized blend of traditional lesson plans, offline projects and real-world experiences. Also, VLACS’s funding is based on student performance rather than enrollment.

By zigging when others zag, not only is VLACS outperforming much of the online field using the old yardstick of standardized tests, it might also radically change how students learn.

Chris Berdik

Full Story: http://www.wired.com/2016/08/inside-online-school-radically-change-kids-learn-everywhere/