ESU Receives $500,000 for Virtual Education Academy

Congressman Paul Kanjorski (PA–11) today announced funding in the amount of $500,000 to initiate a Virtual Education Academy.

Congressman Paul Kanjorski (PA–11) today announced funding in the amount of $500,000 to initiate a Virtual Education Academy. The announcement was made at East Stroudsburg University. This Cyberschool Alternative will enable homebound students to continue their educational experience without the cost and infrastructure necessary to send individual instructors to each house, while improving academic integrity and assuring student achievement. The proposal for funding was prepared by a consortium of public and private partners including eight regional school districts, two intermediate units, the Center for Research and Economic Development at ESU, and Right Reason Technologies, with the support of Congressman Kanjorski.

"East Stroudsburg University is extremely appreciative of the support that Congressman Kanjorski has provided to us not only on this project, but on every level," said Dr. Robert J. Dillman, ESU President. "He is a tremendous supporter of ESU, Monroe County and all of Northeastern Pennsylvania. This appropriation will allow the ESU Center for Research and Economic Development in cooperation with regional school districts and intermediate units and Right Reason Technologies to help Pennsylvania become a leader in utilizing technology to improve education."

The Virtual Education Academy will best serve students who are homebound because of various school phobias or medical conditions that preclude them from attending school. Research for homebound schooling indicates a need for quick feedback to the student regarding questions, progress, etc. in addition to accommodations for special needs students and attention to learning styles.

It is anticipated that the Virtual Education Academy will improve academic integrity and accountability and assure student achievement so that no student is left behind. This program, which contains broadcast and parental interaction capabilities, will provide students within the program with an opportunity to collaborate and "chat" with their teachers and peers, while performing tasks that require creative and critical thinking.

The program is expected to free up over 80 percent of funds currently allocated to homebound education while building the system to permit all homebound students to experience the benefits of cyber–education. Additionally, the hope of those supporting the Virtual Education Academy is to designate Pennsylvania as a leader in the utilization of advanced technology to improve education.

The system will be developed and maintained by local education leaders and grant co–sponsor Right Reason Technologies, hoping to meet the growing needs of homebound schooling mandated throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Several school districts throughout a large portion of Northeast Pennsylvania are partners in this program including:

• Pocono Mountain School District
• Pleasant Valley School District
• East Stroudsburg School District
• Notre Dame Schools
• Delaware Valley School District
• Scranton School District
• Wyoming Valley West School District
• Intermediate Units 19 and 20

For more information about the Virtual Education Academy, contact Mary Frances Postupack, chief operating officer, Center for Research and Economic Development at (570) 422–7920.