Frequently Asked Questions
What is the
Virtual High School Initiative?
The creation of the South
Dakota Virtual High School is an expansion of current synchronous and
asynchronous virtual class offerings. This will create consistency and
structure for online coursework aligned with South Dakota Content
Standards.
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Why now?
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South Dakota has strong infrastructure in place
through public school system
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The State provides statewide email, web
services, and a license with WebCT providing coursework environment
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Many teachers have been trained statewide in
teaching virtually both synchronously and asynchronously in previous
DTL trainings
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Numerous asynchronous programs are occurring
across the state and there needs to be consistency which will assure
quality and equity
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What will this
initiative do?
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Provide students with 24/7 access to coursework
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Allows the Department of Education to
promulgate rules that will
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Coordinate course offerings
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Establish criteria for participation in the
virtual high school
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Assure standards in course offerings
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Creates an advisory council
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Advise the Department of Education, the South
Dakota Board of Education, education-related organizations, and
other education groups on issues related to distance learning.
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The council discuss, develop, and make
recommendations for the promulgation of rules concerning policies
that affect distance delivery.
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What are the benefits of a Virtual High School
in South Dakota?
Provides alternatives for:
- Students needing
credit recovery due to failure, illness, or other issues
- Home school
students wishing to be educated at home
- Students enrolled in
school who may have scheduling conflicts or wanting to take
additional courses not available to them
- Schools who are unable to
provide required course offerings
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Provide academically advanced
students the opportunity to challenge themselves via 24/7 access
to coursework
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