Leading Colorado Online Educator To Lead Provost Academy

DENVER, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Executive Director of Colorado's new public online high school, Audie Rubin brings not only his years of experience in education as both an administrator and teacher; but also his leadership and vision as a pioneer in the use of online education technology to open the classroom to the world and accelerate learning for Colorado students.

"The challenge facing education today is to close the gap between how students live and how they learn," Rubin said.  "At Provost Academy Colorado, we are excited to meet this challenge with our pro-learning, pro-student, pro-success focus to help all students achieve their goals."

Provost Academy is a state-authorized public online school that is free of charge to residents of Colorado. Backed by EdisonLearning's experience in preparing more than 1 million students for college and the workforce, Provost Academy provides students personalized learning plans adapted to meet their schedule and specific academic needs.

As a leading advocate and pioneer of online education in Colorado, Rubin brings a valuable knowledge and innovation to his new position.  As Director of Student Online Learning for the Jeffco Public Schools, he developed full time online programs, and partnered with district high schools to implement hybrid learning opportunities.  During his tenure, Rubin increased the number of students learning online throughout the district from 150 to over 3,000 and the number of online teachers from 20 to over 200 in 18 months. As a principal with Colorado Virtual Academy, Rubin designed and successfully launched the academy's online high school.

"I have seen the strides students make in their academic success when they are truly engaged in the online experience, and their education matches their individual learning style.  But I also know that not all online schools are the same," Rubin said.  "Unlike other online schools, Provost Academy has a robust offering of more than 100 courses, developed in collaboration with faculty of Stanford University's School of Education. It is also backed by EdisonLearning, the nation's largest partner to public school districts and communities nationwide including here in Colorado."

In addition to his work in schools, Rubin is advancing online opportunities for Colorado students as a member of the Colorado Department of Education's Committee for Online Learning.  Outside of the field of education, Rubin has partnered with Sun Microsystems and Microsoft to develop educational initiatives in the United States as well as in Japan and Australia.  He received his Master's in Educational Leadership from Colorado University-Denver, and his undergraduate degree from San Jose State University.

"We are extremely pleased and honored that Audie Rubin, a solid educator and true innovator has accepted the leadership role at Provost Academy," said Jeffrey Popiel, President & CEO of Geotech Environmental Equipment in Denver and chairman of the Provost Academy Colorado board. "Mr. Rubin's commitment to the mission of Provost Academy and experience adds tremendous value and quality to the education experience our students will receive."

Provost Academy Colorado is currently enrolling students in grades 9 through 12 for the school year starting August 2010 online at www.co.provostacademy.com or by phone at 888.472.2656.

Provost Academy Colorado is an Online Public High School serving grades 9 to 12. It is uniquely designed to offer a challenging and flexible education option for students who want or need something different from traditional high schools.  Provost Academy Colorado is the only Online High School in Colorado backed by EdisonLearning, the nation's largest partner to public school districts and communities, with nearly 20 years of proven experience driving academic results in the K-12 classroom. EdisonLearning has been partnering with charter schools, local districts, and the Department of Education in Colorado since 1996.

SOURCE EdisonLearning