Virginia Satellite Educational Network 2002-2003 Course Registration

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

PRINS. MEMO NO. 18

March 12, 2002

ELEMENTARY / MIDDLE / SECONDARY

TO:

Principals

FROM:

Patricia I. Wright

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction

SUBJECT:

Virginia Satellite Educational Network 2002-2003 Course Registration

The Virginia Department of Education's Virginia Satellite Educational Network (VSEN)is pleased to announce student credit course offerings for the 2002 - 2003 school year. Comprehensive credit courses offered through VSEN will be broadcast live daily on C-Band, analog satellite Telesat E1. Because of ongoing E-Rate funding, there will be no tuition charged for Virginia students.

Courses for 2002 - 2003 include Japanese I, II, III; Latin I, II, III; Advanced Placement Calculus; Advanced Placement Statistics; Advanced Placement English, Advanced Placement United States History, and Advanced Placement Government. Staff development offerings in mathematics, technology, foreign languages, school finance and other disciplines will also be offered during the 2002 @ 2003 school year. Online enrollment is now available on the VSEN website at: http://www.vsenvirginia.org/.

VSEN courses are designed to offer educational opportunities to schools where there are too few students to justify hiring a full-time teacher, or a qualified teacher is unavailable. Courses are broadcast live daily to schools equipped with satellite dishes or through cable systems. All VSEN teachers are certified Virginia teachers and all courses meet criteria outlined in the Virginia Standards of Learning. Each student receives a high degree of individual attention from VSEN teachers via 800 telephone lines, fax, and the Internet.

The Department of Education will continue to support schools with satellite equipment repair assistance. In the event of the failure of satellite receive equipment at a school with students enrolled in credit courses or staff development courses, the Department of Education will reimburse the school division for repairs made to the satellite system.

For more information on VSEN or other distance learning opportunities, contact Greg Weisiger, associate director, teleproduction services at (804) 692-0335.

PIW/gww