Gorman, Calif. - Linda Rosson, Principal of InsightSchoolsLA’s online high school diploma program, today presented a summary of the services and programs offered by Insight to families and potential students in the mountain communities area.
This presentation was in furtherance of ongoing research and discussions by Gorman School District regarding a proposal received last month to establish an online learning coordination and community outreach center at Gorman School.
Ms. Rosson made mention of the following points during her presentation:
- Insight Schools’ online high school diploma program is managed under the umbrella of Phoenix University, the world’s largest online upper education program.
- They currently manage 10 different online schools.
- Free laptop computers and printers are given each student. High speed internet connections are required.
- No tuition is charged- this is a public charter school. Each student receives a $15 monthly stipend for their internet connection charges; lunch money and printer ink cartridges are provided also.
- 42 teachers are credentialed for their 120 different online courses; teachers average 15 years of teaching experience.
- The school is open 24 hours a day; students can log on for classes at any time of day. Insight is authorized to offer instruction to residents in all three local counties.
- Students must meet with their teachers online a minimum of once per week.
- Each student receives a headset for learning purposes and for communication with teachers. They are given the teacher’s email address and Vonage phone number.
- InsightSchoolLA receives ADA for 700 students currently; 500 additional applications for the upcoming year are pending and under review.
- InsightSchoolLA is a fully accredited charter school under a Memo of Understanding with Antelope Valley Unified High School District.
- Potential students for this semester need to register as soon as possible; classes begin on September 8.
- Insight School is another referral and learning option available to local schools and families for students unable or not desiring to attend the local high school for employment, travel, schedule or numerous other reasons, or who desire to focus their learning at home via online sources; advanced learning/AP classes and instruction are available. This program is also an option for future possible school facility limitations in our area.
- 36 students graduated from InsightSchoolLA last spring; one student was awarded a full Gates Foundation scholarship.
Attendees and the board were enthused about this new vision and the possibilities that Insight and other online learning options present for advancing new-tech learning opportunities for local families and students.
Insight and the proponents of the Gorman Online Charter High School & Community College Distance Learning Campus/Facility Proposal intend to coordinate a community meeting to further discuss local secondary & upper-education online learning opportunities in the near future. Press releases and email notices will be sent announcing that meeting prior to doing so. Printed brochures about Insight's programs are available by calling 661-245-3438.
Legal counsel for Gorman School District will be reviewing the previously-submitted proposal for development of an online learning outreach center under GSD's umbrella. Additional discussion will occur regarding that proposal at the September school board meeting.
In other business, Martin Schmidt, former principal of McFarland High School, was hired as the new Superintendent for the Gorman Joint School District under an Employment Agreement, and the board authorized several other hiring, budgetary and administrative actions.
The next meeting of the board is on Sept. 8 at 3 p.m.
