USD 235 implements new Internet-based learning system

UNIONTOWN -- An Internet-based learning tool could be just the key in preparing Uniontown Junior Senior High School students for their post-secondary educations.

The Virtual Prescriptive Learning (VPL) program provides schools with a cost effective method to create individual student learning plans and allows teachers and administrators to monitor student progress. USD 235 is receiving the program this year through a grant from the Southeast Kansas Education Learning Center in Greenbush, USD 235 Superintendent Randy Rockhold said.

The program will allow seventh through 12th grade students at UJSHS to use an Internet-based instructional management system to study core curriculum subjects and prepare for other testing. Rockhold will have the opportunity to directly observe use of the program, as he also serves as the principal for seventh and eighth grade students at the school.

"We will use (the program) for remediation (in all subject areas), exploratory, Kansas Assessment prep, and to supplement our reading program at the junior high," Rockhold said.

Teachers have a variety of remediation tools at their disposal, including individualized prescriptions, computerized assignments, and assessments that are benchmarked to state standards. Many different resources, including homework assignments and an online gradebook are all available from one Web site. Parents are encouraged to help teachers and students in using the program, which can also be used as a home-bound learning tool.

Seventh and eighth grade teachers at UJSHS are in training this week to use the program, which will be implemented immediately after that, Rockhold said.

The program is easy to use, can be personalized to each student, and is aligned with state standards and assessment test requirements. Some of its benefits include the ability to improve student scores on state assessments, to improve student computer skills and student confidence, to increase their performance, and to preserve their dignity. The program also processes user-friendly teachers' reports on student progress, expands school day and curricular opportunities, and provides schools with responses to the federal No Child Left Behind requirements, which measure student accountability and achievement in reading and math.

VPL is also used to diagnose skill gaps in students and to monitor each student's educational progress, something U-235 intends to achieve with the program.

"It is always our goal to have continued improvement," Rockhold said. "VPL will be a valuable tool in setting up a prescriptive plan and administering the plan especially relative to reading and math. When a VPL plan is implemented and completely administered, there is strong evidence that learning growth (improvement) occurs. We want to use research-based and effective avenues to assist students, and VPL is a tool that has been proven to be effective."

In addition to helping to prepare students for state assessments, the program also provides NCLB services, offers credit recovery courses, special education services, high school completion programs and summer school, using a wide variety of courses and assessments.

Faculty members have direct access to VPL staff and technical support throughout the school day. The VPL program currently serves more than 175 schools in Kansas and more than 15 schools in Missouri.

For more information and to learn more about the program's benefits, visit www.vplonline.org on the Internet.