Q. What Is the Kentucky Virtual High School?
A. The Kentucky Virtual High School (KVHS), part of the Kentucky Virtual Schools is a statewide educational service offered by the Kentucky Department of Education to help students meet their educational needs. KVHS has delivered rigorous online learning opportunities to Kentucky secondary students, educators, and school board members since January 2000. Visit www.kyvs.org for more information about the Kentucky Virtual Schools.
Q. Is there a fee for KVHS courses and who pays?
A. The fee for middle/high school courses is $150 per student per half-credit course (one semester of content) and $300 per whole-credit course (two semesters of content). Local policy will govern the payment of fees for students enrolling through the schools. Generally, the school district will pay this fee for students who are enrolled full-time in the local public high school when the credit earned from the course will be counted towards high school graduation as part of the required 1,050 hours of instructional time. The district may ask the student to pay the fee if the course is above and beyond the required instructional time or if the student elects to take the KVHS course in lieu of a course already available at the high school to gain credits towards graduation. All course fees are paid from the district directly to the Kentucky Virtual High School. The KVHS does not collect fees directly from students.
Q. How do students register for KVHS courses?
A. Visit www.kyvs.org for registration information at the Kentucky Virtual School's Blackboard Learning System.
Q. Can non-public high school students take courses on the KVHS?
A. All Kentucky students may enroll in KVHS classes.
Q. Does KVHS provide professional development courses for teachers?
A. Yes. Information on Professional Development courses is available here. For information about PD courses through eLearning Kentucky, click here and select the e-Learning Ky tab. These PD courses meet KDE's eleven standards for professional development.
Q. Does A Student Have To Own A Home Computer To Take A KVHS Course?
A. No, ownership is not required. It will be possible for students to do all KVHS work on school computers. However, access to a home computer or a computer in a public library will provide the student with additional study time.
Q. Are KVHS teachers qualified and trained to teach online?
A. All KVHS faculty have been certified at the secondary level by the Education Professional Standards Board in the content area of their course. KVHS teachers receive special training and education to prepare them for teaching online, and are actively supported throughout the length of the course to ensure that they are successful. Current KVHS teachers average 16 years of experience. All have Masters Degrees. Seven hold a Rank One Certification and two have completed a doctorate. In addition three are Ashland Oil Golden Apple award winners and five have had international teaching experience.
Q. What Help And Support Will Students Receive?
A. KVHS provides students a toll-free help desk number for technical issues. Students also have access to a virtual student center with research tools. In addition, all KVHS students receive access to the Kentucky Virtual library. Teachers may be emailed or telephoned for individual help and assistance.
The student's high school must provide a staff member as a KVHS contact.
Q. Will KVHS Teachers Hold Teacher Conferences?
A. The e-mail address of each KVHS teacher will be posted in the course syllabus. Each KVHS teacher will have the option of establishing a "virtual" parent conference via email or phone. However, parents may email the teacher at any time during the course and may also contact the KVHS point of contact at the school with questions about student progress.
Q. How many courses can a student take with KVHS?
A. KVHS does not have a limit on the number of courses a student may take. However, each student should contact their school guidance counselor to review his or her KVHS course selections and must be approved by the local school guidance counselor to take the course.
Q. What Type Of Student Should Take KVHS Courses?
A. Students should realize that taking a course online requires personal discipline and good time management skills. Most people agree that students spend more time taking an online course than they typically devote to a traditional high school class. High school students should consult their school guidance counselor to make sure that they are ready for online learning.