Connections Learning Partners with Virtual High School to Expand Core Course Offering

Sept. 19, 2011 - PRLog -- Baltimore, MD & Maynard, MA – Connections Learning (www.ConnectionsLearning.com), a leading provider of digital learning solutions to the K–12 education community and Virtual High School Global Consortium (www.govhs.org), the pioneer of K-12 online learning and course design for teachers, today announced a partnership designed to expand the number of core online courses that Virtual High School (VHS) offers their 770 member schools worldwide. Since 1996, VHS has been partnering with high schools to supplement, rather than replace, their in-person education with enrichment and Advanced Placement (AP) courses and desired a means to expand their high school course catalog with more options for schools that need online core courses for initial credit or credit recovery.

”With the rapid growth in demand for online learning, schools are looking for providers that can meet a wide range of needs from teacher-led core courses to unique and engaging electives,” said Liz Pape, President & CEO of Virtual High School Global Consortium.  “By partnering with Connections Learning we are able to offer a comprehensive catalog of high-quality courses to meet this need.  Our member schools can now offer all the online courses their students need to overcome scheduling conflicts and develop skills that are vital to education and work in the 21st century.”

VHS is a non-profit, worldwide collaborative of schools, teachers and students. VHS member schools have access to over 200 online core, elective, Advanced Placement and honors courses, which are delivered co-synchronously and taught by teachers who actively teach in classrooms at their member schools.  All are certified in their specific discipline and have completed a graduate level professional development program in online teaching. Instructors facilitate and continually monitor all courses, engaging students in discussions, and assessing each individual student’s progress.

Starting with the Fall, 2011 semester, Connections Learning will complement VHS’ existing course catalog with a range of core classes, including English, French, Spanish, German, Chinese, Basic Geometry, Geometry, Pre Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Physical Science, Earth Science, Basic US History, World History, American Government, and Physical Education. VHS member schools will be able to register their students for these courses directly through VHS at a discounted rate.

Courses provided by Connections Learning combine standards-aligned curriculum, an expert teacher, and delivery through the Connexus® education management system.  Connections Learning courses have been used successfully in public schools for a decade -- each course is public school-tested with outstanding academic results and satisfaction ratings of over 90%. Connections Learning, a division of Connections Education and sister to the widely known Connections Academy network of virtual K-12 schools, offers a range of quality, affordable digital learning solutions customized to fit a school or organization’s resources and students’ needs. More than 1,000 schools, school districts, state departments of education and other educational institutions, serving tens of thousands of students throughout the United States and beyond, are already utilizing Connections Learning products and services.

“We have found a like-minded partner in VHS and can’t wait to share our courses with their collaborative of schools and the thousands of students they serve,” commented Steven Guttentag, President of Connections Learning. “Connections Learning and VHS share a commitment to quality, innovative education and we are excited to bring our teacher-led, self-paced, courses to their catalog.”

About Connections Learning
Connections Learning is an online learning provider that delivers a full range of quality, affordable, and turnkey online learning solutions to institutions and individuals. Bringing personalized and flexible learning to students everywhere, Connections Learning products combine a proven curriculum, the latest instructional tools, certified teachers skilled in online instruction, and state-of-the-art technology. Feature products include: online courses; online summer school; homebound student solutions; credit recovery; the Connexus™ digital learning platform; 21st Century Skills courses; a STEM package; online speech therapy; blended/hybrid programs; and virtual private and public school programs. More than 1,000 schools, school districts, state departments of education and other educational institutions, serving tens of thousands of students throughout the United States and beyond, are already utilizing Connections Learning products and services.  Connections Learning is a division of Connections Education LLC. For more information, call 888-440-2890 or visit www.ConnectionsLearning.com.

About Virtual High School
Virtual High School is the pioneer of online course design and instruction for teachers and online education for high school students. Virtual High School partners with schools to provide rigorous, student-centered online courses that help expand rather than replace existing curriculum options. The VHS collaborative includes 770 member schools and 15,000 enrolled students from 35 U.S. states and 45 countries.  The recipient of the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) 2005, 2007 and 2008 awards for Excellence in Programming and Excellence in Best Practices and the Stockholm Challenge 2001 Award for exemplary use of technology in education, VHS was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Maynard, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.govhs.org or call (978) 897-1900.

Press Contacts:

Connections Education
Allison Bazin                   
Senior Director of Public Relations   
(609) 247–0275
abazin@connectionsacademy.com         

Virtual High School
Carol Arnold
Arnold Communications
(877) 718-4604 x2
carol@arnoldcomm.com

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The pioneer of K-12 online learning and course design for teachers, Virtual High School (VHS) is a non-profit collaborative of high schools, middle schools, teachers and students.