State College School Board Approves Joining Online Learning Academy

In an effort to improve the district’s online learning program and virtual school, State College Area will join the Central Intermediate Unit Online Learning Academy (CIOLA) Consortium beginning in January.

The school board of directors unanimously approved an agreement to join CIOLA at its meeting on Monday. The base annual cost is $15,000 and will be pro-rated to $7,500 for the 2018-19 school year.

CIOLA will be used along with the district’s current vendor, Edgenuity, and both will be evaluated throughout the semester. The school board also approved a contract with another vendor, Lincoln Learning, for unique cases at the request of a parent and with approval by the assistant superintendent.

All three vendors offer courses for grades 6-12.

Jacquelyn Martin, director of curriculum for 6-12, said during a discussion earlier this month that the new course offerings also could persuade parents of students enrolled in non-SCASD cyber charter schools to consider the district’s virtual program.

According to the district, 42 area students in grades 6-12 are enrolled in SCASD cyber programs and 33 are enrolled in non-SCASD cyber charter programs.