The Arkansas Department of Education is pleased to announce an extensive distance learning initiative. Beginning with the 2001-2002 school year, the Department is planning to expand the courses available using Enhanced Audiographics. Courses in Spanish, calculus, science, history, English, and computer science will be offered. Advanced Placement as well as regular classes will be made available at different times of the day to schools located anywhere in Arkansas. A brochure which provides additional information about the initiative and a fact sheet which summarizes the Department's distance learning focus areas will be mailed to each district through mass mail.
In order to determine the course needs of the school districts and to allow the districts to schedule next year's classes, information is being requested about which courses schools may want to incorporate into their schedule and possible teachers that may be available to teach on a part time or full time basis. These teachers may be currently employed by a district but available through a contract with the district for part time service. They may also be retired or not teaching but interested in teaching one or two classes per day.
Current plans are to charge districts the equivalent of 1/7 of the state Base Local Revenue Per Student (BLRPS) for each student for each course. This amount will cover instructional expense and training cost but not textbooks or telephone charges. Any district interested should fill out the enclosed preliminary distance learning course request form and return it to the Department prior to April 2, 2001. Completion of the form does not obligate the district to participate or guarantee course availability. A final district commitment and schedule of classes will be made available by the end of April.
Districts or teachers interested in participating as instructional resources should complete the enclosed distance learning teacher availability form and return it to the Department by April 2, 2001. Teachers and districts will be contacted regarding possible teaching assignments prior to May 1, 2001. The Department will provide equipment, supplies, and training of teachers.
Distance learning provides a positive way of lessening the problem of teacher availability in Arkansas while providing quality educational opportunities to students anywhere in the state. If your district has an instructional need that distance learning might alleviate or has a teaching resource that might help another district, please complete and return the appropriate form(s) as soon as possible.