Because credits are applied to the transcript of a student's local school or toward a homeschool portfolio, students of the FLVS Flex program do not receive a diploma from FLVS.FLVS Full Time is a full-time public school in the state of Florida that provides online instruction for both elementary, middle and high school students.FLVS is also a contracted provider for multiple Florida districts.FLVS Global School offers middle and high school courses on a tuition basis to students residing outside the state of Florida. Then there is Florida Virtual School, a statewide public school that functions is often the go-to for students who need an extra course, or a break from the social pressures of conventional school.“We are doing some marketing to make sure that parents are aware that this option is available for them,” said Mandy Perry, principal of Pinellas Virtual School. Enrollment in Hillsborough Virtual, at more than 1,300 so far, has more than quadrupled over last year’s levels. But that’s where we’d have to work to best support the kids any way that we can.”Hillsborough's virtual enrollment has quadruped, whether from marketing, the coronavirus, or likely both. Florida Virtual School began as a progressive initiative that sought to explore innovative teaching models based in online learning. Teachers will need orientation and ongoing training. FLVS Global School students can also opt to earn a US high school diploma online through a partnership with The Cottage School.FLVS offers training, professional development, and online content to educators and school districts both internationally and in Florida. But he is encouraged by a recent parent survey, which showed nearly 22 percent of families prefer virtual instruction if schools reopen in a traditional format.Pasco County, in contrast, has a well developed “eSchool” that serves as many as 600 full-time students every year and 22,000 who take individual courses But those numbers could still change dramatically, she said. Use of this network, its equipment, and resources is monitored at all times and requires explicit permission from the network administrator and Focus Student Information System. During the 1996 school year, the Florida Department of Education awarded two counties, Orange and Alachua, with "Break the Mold" grant funds.Julie Young, former president and CEO of FLVS, describes how "there were no rules and no roadmap for us to follow" as the school was launched.By 2003, the school had increased to 24,000 half-credit enrollments (considered one segment or semester) and became part of the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP).FLVS is currently affiliated with all 67 districts and has been followed as a global model for initiatives in distance learning. This includes the support of Virtual Learning Labs and Blended Learning Communities across the state.
Digital ads and other media displays are under consideration, she said.Among the selling points: “It’s a smoother transition than if they opt for the commercial option. “And it’s an opportunity to put it in the forefront.”Districts want to hold onto students who wish to learn at home, while protecting jobs for teachers, who can transfer into virtual jobs. During the 1996 school year, the Florida Department of Education awarded two counties, Orange and Alachua, with "Break the Mold" grant funds.Julie Young, former president and CEO of FLVS, describes how "there were no rules and no roadmap for us to follow" as the school was launched.By 2003, the school had increased to 24,000 half-credit enrollments (considered one segment or semester) and became part of the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP).FLVS is currently affiliated with all 67 districts and has been followed as a global model for initiatives in distance learning. Students may take courses with FLVS Flex to supplement current studies or as part of a home education program. But we weren’t entirely prepared for that, because how can you be ready for something that’s never happened before?”E-learning was tied to the teacher’s daily work schedule, which made for conflicts as families juggled their job and learning responsibilities.In virtual school, families have more flexibility. Addison Davis, the new superintendent in Hillsborough, was shocked to learn his district had about 300 in the full-time virtual program. We have access to the student information system, and those records all transfer over to us.”The pitch appears to be working. They push out a week of assignments so students can go at their own pace. FLVS Flex, renamed from FLVS Part Time in 2016, allows public, private, or homeschool students to enroll on a per-course basis with rolling enrollment open year-round. During the 2012–2013 year, FLVS had 410,962 successful half-credit, semester completions based on part-time students.Within the state, the Florida Virtual School district offers multiple options at no cost to students who are Florida residents.