FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       FOR INFORMATION CALL
December 22, 2000                                                          (217) 782-4648

Springfield - Governor George H. Ryan and the Illinois State Board of Education announced today that students will have a choice of 16 classes and 10 Advanced Placement review courses through the Illinois Virtual High School. The online courses will begin in January for the spring 2001 semester.

Registration for the new pilot program, which opened December 19 with an IVHS satellite teleconference, will run through January 19. Students in public and non-public schools as well as home-schooled students can participate, but they must enroll through their local public school district. Enrollment for AP review courses will run February 1 through February 28.

The IVHS curriculum offerings are designed to ensure all students meet the Illinois Learning Standards. The cost for each semester-long course is $300 per student. Review classes for Advanced Placement tests are $49 per student. The following online courses are available:

1. Practical Keyboard and Business Skills
   [originating from] The Florida Online High School (course credit - ½ Carnegie Unit)
2. Practical Computer and Business Skills
   The Florida Online High School (course credit - ½ Carnegie Unit)
3. A+ Certification Preparedness
   Learning Station/AIDEX (course credit ½ Carnegie Unit
4. Network+ Certification Preparedness
   Learning Station/AIDEX (course credit ½ Carnegie Unit)
5. English as a Second Language: Everyday English, Levels 1-
   Class.com (course credit ½ Carnegie Unit)
6. Pre-calculus 1: Analytic Geometry and Algebra
   Class.com (course credit ½ Carnegie Unit)
7.  Pre-calculus 2: Trigonometry
   Class.com (course credit ½ Carnegie Unit)
8. Life Science: Oceanography
   Class.com (course credit ½ Carnegie Unit)
9. Physics 1: Interactive Physics 1
   Class.com (course credit ½ Carnegie Unit)
10. Spanish 1
    Class.com (course credit ½ Carnegie Unit)
11. Spanish II
    Kentucky Virtual High School (course credit 1 Carnegie Unit)
12. Latin I
    The Florida Online High School (course credit 1 Carnegie Unit)
13. AP Macroeconomics
    Apex Learning (course credit ½ Carnegie Unit)
14. AP Microeconomics
    Apex Learning (course credit ½ Carnegie Unit)
15. AP United States Government and Politics
    Apex Learning (course credit ½ Carnegie Unit)
16. Advanced Placement American Government (1/2 Carnegie Unit)
    The Florida Online High School (course credit ½ Carnegie Unit)
    
    Advanced Placement Exam Review-10 subject areas
    Apex Learning (non-credit)

The IVHS is part of Governor Ryan’s Venture Tech program and was announced in his 2000 State of the State/Budget Address. When fully operational, the Virtual High School will serve thousands of students throughout the state. Future courses will be provided from a number of sources, with several taught by exemplary Illinois teachers.

The Illinois Virtual High School is made possible by a partnership with eCollege.com. The company will serve as the portal for student registration and will provide access to online courses, academic services and help desk support. In addition, IVHS is brokering with Class.com, Apex Learning.com, Florida Online High School, Learningstation.com, Aidex.com, and the Kentucky Virtual High School, to offer pre-built online courses.