Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Unveils Virtual Classrooms for Missourians
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt today, with state education officials, announced the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MoVIP) is open for registration and will be available to students in the coming school year. Blunt signed legislation authorizing the program, which introduces an online alternative to enhance traditional classroom learning for thousands of Missouri students.
"Missouri's new virtual school expands choice for students, parents and educators to enhance and design learning opportunities specific to each child's unique needs," Gov. Blunt said. "The goal of the virtual school is to use technology to improve and expand Missouri students' education. I am pleased Missouri students will now have access to this state of the art learning tool that will help prepare them for success."
For the 2007-08 school year MoVIP will be available to kindergarten through fifth, and ninth through twelfth grade students.
"Last year I told the legislators how much it would help for students like me to have a virtual school option to get back on track," says Keith Fisher, a 9th grader from Reeds who testified in favor of the virtual school bill last spring. "I have learned a lot more about virtual school since then. I think it is really great that students all over Missouri will get a chance to take virtual classes now."
MoVIP classes serve a wide range of needs including:
- Students who are home-bound because of injuries or medical conditions
- Students who are lagging in credits or need remedial help
- Home-schooled students
- Students who want access to Advanced Placement and other upper-level courses that are not available in their schools
- Schools that want to offer an upper-level class but cannot afford to hire their own teachers to serve few students
"I am very excited about the possibilities that this program presents to provide educational opportunities to Missouri's students," Senator Jack Goodman said. "All children should have access to a first class education. Embracing this program and the technology it utilizes will open new doors for many of Missouri's students."
Elementary courses will be provided by the Connections Academy. High school courses will be provided by Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, in cooperation with several national partners. Middle school is scheduled to be added to the program during the 2008-09 school year.
"Over 50 teachers across the state were asked to participate in a six month process before the selection was narrowed down to these two vendors. It is extremely exciting to have a vendor from Missouri in the program," said Rep. Brian Baker, who handled MoVIP legislation in the House. "Northwest has one of the best programs in the country and a lot of other states are targeting their curriculum coursework because of its proven effectiveness."
The governor helped ensure education is the state's highest priority. He made expanding technology use in Missouri's classrooms and emphasizing learning in math and science a priority through his METS initiative and by recommending targeted spending for classroom technology through the eMints program. He has increased funding for elementary and secondary education every year he has been in office. Budgets passed under Blunt's leadership total more than one half of a billion dollars in new funding for education in the last three years. His leadership has allowed for the expansion of Missouri's nationally recognized Parents as Teachers program and increased funding for A+ Schools. Blunt has also pledged that he will never withhold money approved for Missouri classrooms. In addition, his early childhood initiatives are working to ensure Missouri's youngest students get a head start on lifelong learning.
Registration for students in the MoVIP will be open through May 29th, 2007. For more information visit http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/curriculum/movip/.