-- Research Institute to Study Florida Virtual School --
ATLANTA, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The BellSouth Foundation announced
today it has awarded a $40,000 grant to the Florida TaxWatch Research
Institute to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Florida Virtual
School. The six- month study will investigate the educational, operational
and financial strengths and weaknesses of the Florida Virtual School.
"The goal of this study is to explore to what degree Florida Virtual
School offers an efficient, accountable alternative and supplemental system
of education that extends educational choice, increases student achievement
and collaboration, and expends taxpayers' money wisely for a high return on
investment," said Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO, Florida TaxWatch
Foundation.
Core components of the study include: student demographics and
achievement; course development and delivery; teacher assessment; and
financial analysis, which includes measuring cost-effectiveness and cost-
benefit ratios.
The research team will utilize both quantitative and qualitative
methods in collecting and analyzing information. The study will begin this
month, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2006.
"Florida Virtual School is a leader in the nation in offering
high-quality virtual learning," said Marshall Criser III, State President -
Florida, BellSouth. "We anticipate that the findings from the study will be
of interest, not only to Florida taxpayers, but to policymakers and
taxpayers across the country."
In an effort to improve student achievement and high school graduation
rates, many states are turning to e-learning or 'virtual' schools. Every
state has some form of e-learning program in operation and 21 have already
created state-led virtual schools. Enrollment is growing rapidly, with e-
learning programs experiencing growth of 50 to 100 percent per year.
In 2005, the BellSouth Foundation launched a new e-Learning initiative,
"BellSouth 20/20 Vision for Education." The $20M initiative is designed to
bring engaging, rigorous, online instruction to students throughout the
Southeast -- particularly low-income and minority students -- to address
the growing achievement gap and increase graduation rates.
As a part of the 20/20 Vision, the BellSouth Foundation recently
awarded a $98,000 grant to Florida Virtual School to assess their current
instructional and operating systems. The goal is to determine IT
improvements that would allow them to correlate student performance,
teaching and financial data in order to know what is increasing student
achievement and the cost of doing so.
With thousands of students enrolled in online learning courses
nationwide, online learning is becoming an integral resource to assure
student success and better prepare students for college and a workplace
where innovation and 21st century skills are required.
"Education leaders are constantly challenged to find innovative and
cost- effective ways to accommodate growing student populations, meet
diverse curriculum needs, and offer high-tech learning experiences,"
continued Criser. "BellSouth's investment in e-Learning will prepare
students to not only succeed in high school and college, but will also give
students real world experience that will enhance their ability to succeed
in the workforce."
About the Florida TaxWatch Research Institute
The 27-year-old Florida TaxWatch Research Institute is devoted to
improving taxpayer value, citizen understanding and government
accountability. Within this three-pronged mission, the organization's
Center for Educational Performance and Accountability is focused on
research that encourages the wise use of limited and precious taxpayer
resources toward increasing student achievement throughout Florida's
diverse and unique student population.
About the BellSouth Foundation
The BellSouth Foundation is an endowed trust of BellSouth Corporation
that is devoted to education in the South. Since its creation in 1986, the
Foundation has funded over 647 grants and operated numerous special
initiatives, with a total investment of more than $58 million. For more
information about the BellSouth Foundation, please visit
http://www.bellsouth.com/foundation.
About BellSouth Corporation
BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 500 communications company
headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. BellSouth has joint control and 40
percent ownership of Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless voice
and data provider with 57.3 million customers.
Backed by award-winning customer service, BellSouth offers the most
comprehensive and innovative package of voice and data services available
in the market. Through BellSouth Answers(R), residential and small business
customers can bundle their local and long distance service with dial-up and
high-speed DSL Internet access, satellite television and Cingular(R)
Wireless service. For businesses, BellSouth provides secure, reliable local
and long distance voice and data networking solutions. BellSouth also
offers print and online directory advertising through The Real Yellow
Pages(R) and YELLOWPAGES.COM(TM) from BellSouth.
BellSouth believes that diversity and fostering an inclusive
environment are critical in maintaining a competitive advantage in today's
global marketplace. More information about BellSouth can be found at
http://www.bellsouth.com.
SOURCE BellSouth Foundation
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Related links:
http://www.bellsouth.com
http://www.bellsouth.com/foundation
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/095650.html/
CONTACT:
Nadine Randall of BellSouth, +1-404-829-8724,
or nadine.randall@bellsouth.com
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