INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Officials at the Ball State University Office of Charter Schools announced Friday that it has approved the Indiana Virtual Charter School (INVCS). The decision clears the way for one of the two first online K-12 public schools in Indiana, a concept that is now practiced in 18 states by 150+ virtual charter schools serving more than 65,000 students.

Ball State will serve as the chartering authority for the INVCS, monitoring the School's programs and progress. The day-to-day operations of the Virtual Charter School will be overseen by a non-profit Board of Trustees led by Ron Brumbarger, President & CEO of Indianapolis-based BitWise Solutions, one of the state's largest Web site development firms; the Board also includes Jim Schwartz of Cicero-based ICorn and Sandy Carr of Ice Miller. The curriculum and technology platform will be provided by K12 Inc., a leading national provider of high quality curriculum and school services.

"We'd like to thank Ball State for approving this charter and giving Hoosier families a great new choice," said Brumbarger. "We've created a program that leverages technology, along with daily supervision by parents or other responsible adults and state-certified teachers, to deliver a curriculum that meets or exceeds Indiana's academic standards in every area. We're thrilled to be moving forward and proud to have Ball State as a partner."

In 2005, Indiana's charter school law was amended to allow alternative public schools to provide online programs. INVCS will deliver daily lessons to students via the Internet, guided by parents or other responsible adults and meeting all applicable state requirements. INVCS will provide students with a computer system, Internet connection, plus access to the complete K12 web-based learning program. Other materials (textbooks, workbooks, materials for science, art, music and other hands-on projects) will be shipped to the student throughout the year. Because INVCS is a public school, there is no cost to enroll for residents of Indiana.

INVCS is also hiring state-certified teachers across Indiana to support the online program. Every student enrolled in INVCS would have a teacher who will assign lessons, monitor student academic progress, and regularly communicate with the students via phone, email, Web-based "e-classrooms," and face-to-face meetings. Teachers will also organize group outings for students and families.

"We're not practicing education by remote control," continued Brumbarger. "Our students will use technology, but with support from parents and teachers every step of the way."

In approving the INVCS proposal and plan, Ball State also vetted K12 Inc., the Virginia-based provider of online curricula and educational programs chosen by the School's Board of Trustees. The K12 program is used by dozens of public virtual schools across the nation, serving more than 25,000 students; the company also provides an innovative interactive module to deliver the online lessons. Public virtual schools that use the K12 curriculum and school services are among the top-performing virtual schools in the nation.

"At K12, we're focused on working with virtual public schools to help them create a quality and accountable education option that offers every student a customized and innovate learning program that yields results," said Ron Packard, K12's Chairman and Founder. "We've created a strong partnership with the INVCS Board, we're pleased to be working with Ball State, and we look forward to serving the students and parents in Indiana."

In forming the Indiana Virtual Charter School, Brumbarger asserts that Indiana's public education system will accommodate a larger trend that's changing the way we live and work.

"Anywhere from 10 to 25 million Americans already work from home via the Internet, more than 2.5 million college students now take classes online, and the K-12 online education trend is growing," he finished. "By giving Indiana students this alternative, we're offering a great education while better preparing them for tomorrow's opportunities."

Learn more about the Indiana Virtual Charter School at: http://www.invcs.org/; Indiana charter schools at http://www.doe.state.in.us/charterschools/; visit http://www.k12.com/ for more on virtual learning and the K12 curriculum.

CONTACT: Chris Watts of Westcomm Public Relations, +1-317-685-9760,
cwatts@westcommonline.com, for Indiana Virtual Charter School

Web site: http://www.invcs.org/
http://www.doe.state.in.us/charterschools
http://www.k12.com/