At a recent information session in Bandon at The Barn, Oregon Connections Academy teacher Laura Howard explained how the process works. Virtual charter schools operate under similar state guidelines as traditional brick-and-mortar schools. Student to teacher ratios mirror those in public school classrooms around the state. Students enrollment is free and includes instructional materials. Students are also held accountable for assignments, testing and attendance.
The most obvious difference between the traditional 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday school routine is flexibility in time and space. But Howard says eliminating daily classroom interruptions makes her work with students more productive and rewarding.
“(Connections) is the best job I’ve ever had as a teacher,” said Howard. “Whenever I talk to a student, I’m focused only on that student.”
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