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This program provides an online meeting room and whiteboard, to facilitate the presentation of materials and communication between the students and their teachers. In addition, the teachers push the class content to the student computers using the IBM/ Lotus Sametime program. Today, all ADE DLC classes are provided using CIV technology. Currently, 243 out of 245 school districts have CIV systems connected to the state video network. As distance learning in Arkansas grew, the state legislature apportioned funds to allow schools to buy CIV equipment. However, Compressed Interactive Video (CIV), was used in other classes, so that the teacher and students could see and speak to each other in real time and communicate more effectively. This technology enabled the content to be pushed to the desktop computer of the students and the audio communication was accomplished using audio bridging services from telephone companies. During the first year of operation, most of the classes taught were delivered using Enhanced Audio Graphics technology. During the 2009 - 2010 academic year, the ADE DLC will provide instruction to 3200 students from 100 schools in the state. At that time, three schools participated, with a total of 65 students taking classes from the ADE DLC. The first classes at the ADE DLC began in August 2001. The first group of teachers included one math teacher, one English and journalism teacher, and five Spanish teachers. Administrators were hired to establish the foundation for such an institution, and in May 2001, the first teachers were interviewed and hired. At this time, there were two other distance learning providers in the state, but none with this specific objective. In 2000, Jim Boardman, then Assistant Commissioner of Information Technology for the Arkansas Department of Education, created a distance learning program under the Arkansas Department of Education that would provide Arkansas students with course content aligned to the Arkansas Curriculum standards and that would also provide the course content required by the state for high school graduation.

History of the ADE Distance Learning Center These Foundational Commitments are closely correlated to the four Distance Learning Focus Areas of the Arkansas Department of Education.

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Provide professional development and instructional support by using technology and web-based resources for training and training in integrating technology into the classroom.

Enrich and enhance curriculum by offering web-based resources, elective courses, and Advanced Placement classes.

Allow state-required courses at various times of the day, in order to provide greater scheduling flexibility for students.

Address the teacher-availability dilemma by delivering quality distance-learning courses to areas of Arkansas where teacher availability is limited.

The ADE Distance Learning Center has the following four Foundational Commitments, which summarize its purpose: ĪDE Distance Learning Center Foundational Commitments

A properly trained adult must be present at all times when distance learning students meet as a group.

All instructors for distance learning must be properly licensed or approved.

All courses must be approved and meet curriculum frameworks and content standards.Specifically, there are three guidelines: The Arkansas Department of Education has established official rules and guidelines regarding distance learning in Arkansas. The ADE DLC employs 25 teachers, all Highly Qualified (as outlined by the No Child Left Behind Act) in the subject areas that they teach. There is a Personnel Policies Committee, elected by the teachers, that works to improve the personnel policies of the ADE DLC. The day-to-day operations of the DLC are overseen by a Program Coordinator and an Instructional Coordinator. However, the fiscal agent for the ADE DLC is Dawson Educational Services Co-op, based in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The ADE DLC is a part of the Arkansas Department of Education, as its name implies. 3 History of the ADE Distance Learning Center.2 ADE Distance Learning Center Foundational Commitments.

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