Now that the pilot is ready to launch, we'll do our best to find and share with you information about this exciting new opportunity for families in Indiana.  Here's a piece from House Representative Brian Bosma that we think is helpful. 

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 7, 2009) - Hoosier Academies was named by the Indiana Department of Education as the operator for Indiana's virtual charter school pilot program during the 2009-2010 school year. The program will include as many as 200 students in grades one through five during the first year.

Republican Leader Brian C. Bosma and House Republicans supported the virtual charter schools program and worked to include it in the state budget. The budget approved the pilot program and authorized a total enrollment of 500 by the end of the 2010-2011 school year.

"Parents, students and House Republicans have been working for meaningful school choice in Indiana for the past several years. The inclusion of a virtual charter pilot program in the state budget completed the list of school choice options that parents can choose from when deciding what best fits their child's learning style," Rep. Bosma said.

Hoosier Academies has scheduled five information sessions for families interested in the virtual charter school pilot program. The sessions will allow people to review Hoosier Academies' curriculum and ask questions.

The schedule for the information sessions:

• 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10.
• 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12.
• 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13.
• 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18.
• 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19.

Each student interested in enrolling must indicate one of the following reasons for seeking enrollment to the virtual charter school pilot program:

The student's medical disability prevents him or her from attending a traditional school setting.

The virtual charter school will provide the student a better education alternative than a traditional school.

Hoosier Academies will be accountable to the Indiana Department of Education for the virtual charter school's operation, and the DOE will make sure applicable state and federal laws are followed.

Among the DOE's expectations from Hoosier Academies:

1. Each grade level will accommodate up to 40 students. If there are more than 40 applicants for a grade level, Hoosier Academies will conduct a lottery in accordance with Indiana law.
2. Hoosier Academies will make sure teachers are readily available for student access by telephone, e-mail or in person.
3. Hoosier Academies will follow standard attendance-reporting requirements.
4. Hoosier Academies will administer ISTEP-Plus and other assessments at testing sites around the state so no student has to commute more than 50 miles to a testing site.

For more information about Hoosier Academies, virtual charter schools, enrollment procedures and the information centers, go online to www.k12.com/ha.