ATLANTA, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The BellSouth Foundation announced today it has awarded a $40,000 grant to the Florida TaxWatch Research Institute to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Florida Virtual School. The six- month study will investigate the educational, operational and financial strengths and weaknesses of the Florida Virtual School.
"The goal of this study is to explore to what degree Florida Virtual School offers an efficient, accountable alternative and supplemental system of education that extends educational choice, increases student achievement and collaboration, and expends taxpayers' money wisely for a high return on investment," said Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO, Florida TaxWatch Foundation.
Core components of the study include: student demographics and achievement; course development and delivery; teacher assessment; and financial analysis, which includes measuring cost-effectiveness and cost- benefit ratios.
The research team will utilize both quantitative and qualitative methods in collecting and analyzing information. The study will begin this month, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2006.
"Florida Virtual School is a leader in the nation in offering high-quality virtual learning," said Marshall Criser III, State President - Florida, BellSouth. "We anticipate that the findings from the study will be of interest, not only to Florida taxpayers, but to policymakers and taxpayers across the country."
In an effort to improve student achievement and high school graduation rates, many states are turning to e-learning or 'virtual' schools. Every state has some form of e-learning program in operation and 21 have already created state-led virtual schools. Enrollment is growing rapidly, with e- learning programs experiencing growth of 50 to 100 percent per year.
In 2005, the BellSouth Foundation launched a new e-Learning initiative, "BellSouth 20/20 Vision for Education." The $20M initiative is designed to bring engaging, rigorous, online instruction to students throughout the Southeast -- particularly low-income and minority students -- to address the growing achievement gap and increase graduation rates.
As a part of the 20/20 Vision, the BellSouth Foundation recently awarded a $98,000 grant to Florida Virtual School to assess their current instructional and operating systems. The goal is to determine IT improvements that would allow them to correlate student performance, teaching and financial data in order to know what is increasing student achievement and the cost of doing so.
With thousands of students enrolled in online learning courses nationwide, online learning is becoming an integral resource to assure student success and better prepare students for college and a workplace where innovation and 21st century skills are required.
"Education leaders are constantly challenged to find innovative and cost- effective ways to accommodate growing student populations, meet diverse curriculum needs, and offer high-tech learning experiences," continued Criser. "BellSouth's investment in e-Learning will prepare students to not only succeed in high school and college, but will also give students real world experience that will enhance their ability to succeed in the workforce."
About the Florida TaxWatch Research Institute
The 27-year-old Florida TaxWatch Research Institute is devoted to improving taxpayer value, citizen understanding and government accountability. Within this three-pronged mission, the organization's Center for Educational Performance and Accountability is focused on research that encourages the wise use of limited and precious taxpayer resources toward increasing student achievement throughout Florida's diverse and unique student population.
About the BellSouth Foundation
The BellSouth Foundation is an endowed trust of BellSouth Corporation that is devoted to education in the South. Since its creation in 1986, the Foundation has funded over 647 grants and operated numerous special initiatives, with a total investment of more than $58 million. For more information about the BellSouth Foundation, please visit http://www.bellsouth.com/foundation.
About BellSouth Corporation
BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 500 communications company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. BellSouth has joint control and 40 percent ownership of Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless voice and data provider with 57.3 million customers.
Backed by award-winning customer service, BellSouth offers the most comprehensive and innovative package of voice and data services available in the market. Through BellSouth Answers(R), residential and small business customers can bundle their local and long distance service with dial-up and high-speed DSL Internet access, satellite television and Cingular(R) Wireless service. For businesses, BellSouth provides secure, reliable local and long distance voice and data networking solutions. BellSouth also offers print and online directory advertising through The Real Yellow Pages(R) and YELLOWPAGES.COM(TM) from BellSouth.
BellSouth believes that diversity and fostering an inclusive environment are critical in maintaining a competitive advantage in today's global marketplace. More information about BellSouth can be found at http://www.bellsouth.com/.
