The Office of Distance Education (ODE) at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts is a comprehensive K–12 distance education provider and now ranks as one of the largest providers of interactive video-based instruction in the nation.
“Schools are in need of highly qualified teachers in critical areas—that is our main driver,” says Chris Robbins, ODE’s Executive Director. “School districts across the nation are being asked to offer a broader array of courses and to meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act with the same or sometimes less resources. Distance education helps districts meet those challenges while truly engaging students.”
Using TANDBERG video communications, the ODE brings highly-qualified teachers into classrooms. This means students have access to more subjects at lower costs to the school district.
“Because distance education creates economies of scale, ODE can typically offer instruction at a fraction of the cost of on-site faculty, particularly when enrollment is low,” says ODE department Chair David Slaymaker.
In the past two years, ODE has earned two United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) awards for excellence in instruction and one for leadership in the field of distance learning.
“School administrators, educators and even lawmakers are realizing the value of distance education. The awards are just another proof point,” says Slaymaker.
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