| In this day and age, we are required more and more | | | | and home-schooled Florida Schools students. |
| often to be technologically literate. Florida Public | | | | Out-of-state and international students may attend |
| Schools need to adapt to that technology or fall | | | | the virtual school by paying tuition. FLVS is accredited |
| behind. We are becoming a mobile society, with the | | | | by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. |
| ability to talk to anyone at anytime from anywhere; | | | | FLVS employs 380 full-time and 180 adjunct Florida |
| we can even do a "virtual commute" and have an | | | | Schools teachers who reside throughout Florida and |
| office at the park, in the coffee shop, or even at a | | | | some who live beyond the state's borders. All FLVS |
| bookstore. While some districts are slow to rise to | | | | teachers possess a valid Florida Schools teaching |
| the task, others have stepped up to the plate. | | | | certificate and are certified specifically in the subject |
| The Florida Virtual School (FLVS) was founded in | | | | they teach. |
| 1997, and was the country's first state-wide | | | | All of this information is definitely impressive. It is |
| Internet-based public high school. In fact, other states | | | | easy to imagine what kinds of students would |
| wishing to implement this kind of learning opportunity | | | | benefit from this type of Florida Schools education. |
| for their students look to FVLS as the model to | | | | Those Florida Schools students who are |
| follow. This is the only one of Florida Schools where | | | | home-schooled, have various psychological challenges, |
| funding is tied directly to student performance. | | | | social disorders, or other disabilities may find success |
| Leaders of the FLVS serving Florida Schools students | | | | by attending Florida Schools online. Are there |
| are committed to deliver high-quality, | | | | drawback? Of course, nothing is perfect and snowy |
| technology-based education. They hold the following | | | | white. Never meeting face-to-face with one's |
| core beliefs about education: | | | | instructor can hinder the learning process. So much is |
| - Every Florida Schools student is unique, so learning | | | | communicated through body language, and the |
| should be dynamic, flexible and engaging. | | | | student would miss out on this valuable information |
| - Studies should be integrated rather than isolated. | | | | by only studying online. The obvious lack of social |
| - Students, parents, community members, and | | | | interaction with one's peers also exists; students who |
| schools share responsibility for learning. | | | | attend more traditional Florida Schools have a variety |
| - Students should have choices in how they learn and | | | | of opportunities to experience activities with other |
| how they present what they know. | | | | kids their age. |
| - Students should be provided guidance with school | | | | While there are easily recognizable, positive aspects |
| and career planning. | | | | for Florida Schools students who wish to attend a |
| - Assessments should provide insights not only of | | | | virtual school, it is also important to recognize and |
| student progress but also of instruction and | | | | consider the drawbacks to never setting foot inside |
| curriculum. | | | | any of the Florida Schools classrooms that exist in |
| Courses are available to any and all public, private, | | | | the state's 67 districts. |