Escambia County School System in Brewton has partnered with Odysseyware to provide rigorous digital courses which will enable students to pursue accelerated, competency-based courses while completing their students with career-focused courses.
Homebound and adjudicated students unable to attend school can continue to access coursework and pursue a diploma.
“It's for people who are looking for an alternative,” said Amy Cabaniss, Escambia County Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction. “Students are eligible for all the activities that they would be at school, like field trips. It's for students who are pregnant, or home schooled or if a student has cancer, it's an alternative way of getting an education. They can still walk across the stage, they can still get their diploma.”
Cabaniss says if a student is going to withdraw, he or she can still be part of this program. “We are trying to make sure everyone gets an education one way or another.”
As far as testing, the tests are built into the program, but standardized tests must be taken at a student's home school.
Since this is the first year, Cabaniss said the cap for the number of students is 25 and that 17 have enrolled so far.
“The first day of school is August 8 and the frame work to compete work is the same as school,” said Cabaniss. “Virtual school is almost like a college online course. There's no Avatar, but from 8 to 4:30 p.m. each day, help desk tutorials are available. When students take the coursework, they have a teacher, a real one, at a help desk that they can text back and forth with for assistance.”
There are no books and materials because it's ll online. Unlike a report card, which is issued every nine weeks in school, parents have a 'parent portal,' where they can see in real time how their student is doing.
“We have students from Flomaton, Atmore, Brewton and from all over county,” said Cabaniss. “Even some from Brewton City Schools. It's free to the parent. I invite anyone who is interested or has questions to contact me at 251-368-0302. The goal is to make sure that every student, no matter what circumstances prevent them from coming to school, will graduate from the Escambia County school system career or college ready.”
