K12 Inc. Reports Improved Outcomes at Minnesota Virtual Academy

HERNDON, Va., July 7, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- K12 Inc., America's leading provider of K-12 online school programs, released a new report showing that Minnesota Virtual Academy (MNVA) – a statewide online public school serving students in kindergarten through high school --  raised its academic outcomes in Reading and Mathematics, while launching new teacher initiatives and improving its academic and school community programs.   

The full report can be found here.

"MNVA was established in 2002 and has grown from a small online elementary school to serve middle and high school grades. MNVA is also one of four schools within Minnesota's Houston Public School district and, of those four, it is the only school that is fully online," said Krin Abraham, Superintendent of Houston (Minnesota) Public Schools, the school district partnering with K12 to offer MNVA. "We have responded to school growth by strategically implementing key practices and programs to improve student academic performance. From building a strong community across our school, to developing a concise school-wide academic plan, our focus remains on how best to serve our students."

In a review of state test data from the past two school years, MNVA showed improvement in both Reading and Mathematics in grades 3-8. From 2012-2013 to 2013-2014, the percentage of MNVA students at or above proficiency in Reading increased in all grades (3-8), with an overall increase of 12 percentage points. In Mathematics, students at or above proficiency in grades 4, 6, 7, and 8 increased 6 percentage points from 2012-2013 to 2013-2014.

The report highlights that MNVA leadership meets annually with teachers and staff to review prior-year state testing data to develop a school-wide academic plan. In response to the 2017 annual yearly progress (AYP) target set by the Minnesota Department of Education, MNVA set a school-wide goal on improving student performance in Reading. Through dedicated efforts during the 2013-2014 year, MNVA met its school-wide goal.

The report also examines the relationship between academic performance and persistence, with "persistence" defined as the length of continuous enrollment in the specific school. Currently, MNVA is demonstrating that students enrolled 2 years or more achieved higher percentages at or above proficiency in all subjects tested, compared to students enrolled less than 1 year.

MNVA closely collaborates with other schools across Houston Public School district to share best practices and participate in joint professional learning opportunities. Educators will teach part time online at MNVA and part time in one of the brick-and-mortar schools in the district. The Houston district designated mentor teachers to work together to add to an "Idea Library," an online library of best practices accessed by teachers across the district. The shared learning and resources reinforce a culture of community across the district and collaboration between educators.

The report concludes that in its thirteen-year history, MNVA has responded to rapid school growth by strategically implementing programs and processed focused on improving student outcomes and addressing the needs of each and every student.

This report is the sixth in a series of white papers on academics and instruction published by K12.  An archive of the white papers, along with K12's annual academic report, can be found here.

About K12 Inc.

K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN) is driving innovation and advancing the quality of education by delivering state-of-the-art, digital learning platforms and technology to students and school districts across the globe. With nearly a half-billion dollars invested in developing award winning curriculum, K12 serves over 2,000 schools and school districts and has delivered more than four million courses over the past decade. K12 is a company of educators with the nation's largest network of K-12 online school teachers, providing instruction, academic services, and learning solutions to public schools and districts, traditional classrooms, blended school programs, and directly to families. For more information on K12 Inc., visit www.K12.com

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SOURCE K12 Inc.

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