As a supplement to instruction provided in school districts and open-enrollment charter schools, the Texas Virtual School Network, or TxVSN, has offered high school level and dual credit courses to several districts—including Cy–Fair ISD—since its establishment by state legislators during the 2007 legislative session.
About 20 CFISD students have enrolled in various TxVSN courses this semester—the district's highest enrollment in the network to date, said Darlene Davenport, CFISD director of guidance and counseling.
"[CFISD] wants to provide students with as many opportunities as they need to graduate on time or even graduate early," she said. "We offer many opportunities for our students, but this is the newest one. If a student needs a credit for graduation or wants to pick up an extra class to get ahead, [other districts] provide virtual courses, and students—once approved for the course by their counselor—can sign up."
School districts involved with the TxVSN are split into two categories—providers and receivers. CFISD receives services from TxVSN, and students can enroll in online courses offered through neighboring districts. Davenport said there is a chance CFISD will become a provider in the future so students enrolled in TxVSN courses can remain in-district.
Partnerships were formed within the TxVSN through the Harris County Department of Education, the Texas Education Agency and the Education Service Center Region 10 to facilitate communication throughout the provider and receiver districts and to ensure the quality of courses offered.
"The TxVSN statewide catalog is a network of partnerships," said Angela Smith, director of operations for TxVSN. "The catalog bridges partnerships between Texas school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, education service centers and higher education institutions that have online courses and instructors with school districts and charter schools that do not have access to those resources."
Until September 2011, TxVSN was funded by the state, but funding for TxVSN is now allocated from participating students' respective school district or charter school with no charge to the student.
Once a course is completed, the enrolled student is eligible to generate foundation school program, or FSP, funding similar to traditional classroom funding. The district or school can choose to use this funding to pay for the course costs.
Students in grades 11 and 12 are able to enroll in up to two dual-credit courses per semester, unless otherwise approved by school officials. Before enrolling, students must meet all college prerequisites for specific courses such as minimum scores on placement exams or minimum grades in specified courses. High school freshmen and sophomores are able to enroll in dual-credit courses if they show outstanding academic performance through their grade-point average or other assessments.
"Each student's home district continues to award credits and diplomas and remains accountable for the student's academic progress," Smith said. "School personnel, students and parents can review options to select online courses that best meet students' learning styles and graduation plans."
