District Administration - September 2011 - (Page 29)

ADVERTISEMENT Online curriculum is the key to success for many students K12 education products foster success by giving students conﬁdence while learning Meck credits K12 technology acific View Charter School with helping her successfully manteacher Kathy Meck recently age 45 students. “I have access to recalled a 7th grader who everyone’s account so I can see what came from a traditional school, they’ve done for the day, how they where he struggled because he tested. If a student doesn’t master didn’t like being there. He tried the something, the program doesn’t let K12 online program at Pacific View you move on. This allows teachers to and never looked back. see that a student is having trouble “He went from being a D student and we can help.” to a B student in all his subjects,” The program identifies weak arsaid Meck, a K-8 supervisory teach“If a student doesn’t master eas, even if a student has passed well er at the Oceanside, Calif., K-12 pubsomething, the program doesn’t let enough to proceed. “Let’s say they lic school. “Part of it was he could do his schoolwork whenever he wantyou move on. This allows teachers master a whole unit but in a couple lessons they really struggled,” Meck ed. He could get up at 8 or 11, as to see that a student is having said. “You can take them back to long as he got it done. The freedom trouble, and we can help.” those lessons any time during the of creating his own school schedule school year and help them review for allowed him to be successful.“ the state test.” Freedom and flexibility are hallK12 also keeps teachers and parents organized. Many marks of K12 Inc., which provides districts and schools with curriculum, technology, and management services such as routine but time-consuming tasks are automated in the K12 scheduling, progress reports and assessments. This bundle system: making/grading tests, calculating grades, taking atof products and services work together to ensure a school tendance, keeping printed materials current. “I don’t need to or district’s success in implementing a full-time or part-time worry about core curriculum standards changing because online program. Students complete online coursework at the program takes care of all that,” Venezia said. Success is seen not only in test scores—which have gone home by working with a state-certified teacher and a parup for elementary school students, Meck said—but also in ent’s guidance. Pacific View students also have access to a brick-and-mor- self-confidence. Venezia recalled one socially awkward boy tar school, which has a computer lab, study hall and tutors. who had difficulty relating to others. “He started this K12 curriculum and couldn’t get enough. The school is where optional half-day K-8 classes and high school workshops are held, as well as mandatory meetings He refined his math skills, exploded with writing,” Venezia with K-8 teachers every couple weeks. High schoolers web- said. “He recently participated in a panel on online learning, and he had the entire panel laughing, hanging on his every conference with their teachers. “It’s during those meetings that the teacher finds out if word. What he learned through the K12 curriculum was how the student is on track,” Pacific View Program Manager Jes- to communicate. He was thinking out of the box and really sica Venezia said. “If they’re struggling, where is the struggle? becoming his own person.” Is it behavioral? Academic? Do they need reading help?” Added Meck, “I look at what they’ve done in the past two To learn more about K12 products and services, please weeks. I quiz them on their work verbally, informally assess- visit www.k12.com/educators. ing them. I collect research papers, vocab, grammar, reading assignments, math work, labs.” P http://www.k12.com/educators http://www.k12.com/educators

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - September 2011

District Administration - September 2011
Contents
From the Editor
Letters
News Update
Tech Update
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Conversations
They Work Hard for the Money
The Road to Rigor
District-Charter Collaborations on the Rise
Designing Safe Facilities
Tony Smith Tackles Oakland
Product Focus
New Products
Research Center
Crisis Response
Going Mobile
Professional Opinion
Student Counsel

District Administration - September 2011