LINCOLN — Gov. Dave Heineman and Nebraska education leaders announced plans Friday to build a virtual state high school by combining and expanding existing efforts.
The proposed school would allow students across the state the chance to take advanced courses or catch up on required classes via computer.
“A virtual high school is a way to expand learning beyond the traditional school day and school year,” Heineman said.
He called the plan “an important education initiative that will significantly impact the future of education in Nebraska.”
The announcement follows three failed efforts to get federal or state funding for creation of a virtual school.
Nebraska has been rejected twice for federal Race to the Top education grants. The state's applications included proposals for a $20 million virtual high school.
Heineman this year proposed using $8.5 million of state lottery money for a virtual school.
The proposal did not make it into the Legislature's budget.
But the governor and top education leaders continued working on the idea.
On Friday, four key institutions signed an agreement to create a virtual high school by bringing together and enhancing their separate online efforts.
“While the Race to the Top applications failed, the plan remains,” said State Education Commissioner Roger Breed.
Parties to the agreement are the University of Nebraska, Department of Education, Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council and Nebraska Educational Telecommunications.
Under the agreement, the four are to create a single website where students, teachers and parents can find online options.
The site will link to the university's Independent Study High School and online instruction coordinated by the ESU council.
They will establish a digital library for use by students and teachers. NET is to manage the library and incorporate materials from the national PBS LearningMedia service.
They also plan to work on a funding plan so that all Nebraska high school students can take advantage of online opportunities.
Currently, the Independent Study High School offers about 100 high school courses online but students must pay tuition and fees and buy books.
Matt Blomstedt, head of the ESU council, said some school districts pay for students to take online courses or distance education. But students in other districts have to pay their own tuition.
Some schools and educational service units also have developed or purchased online materials. But those are not available statewide.
To kick off the agreement and promote online study, the Independent Study High School will provide 50 free course enrollments this year.
High schools must apply for the slots on behalf of their students.
The 50 slots will be awarded competitively, with priority going to applications for science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses.
NU President James B. Milliken said the goal is to promote online learning to more Nebraska students. About 2,200 students worldwide — 300 from Nebraska — now take courses through the Independent Study High School.
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