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Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative

What is VTVLC? 

The Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative (VTVLC) is Vermont’s partner in providing a range of online and blended learning opportunities to school districts and students. VTVLC is an education organization at River Valley Technical Center School District in Springfield, Vermont that offers statewide access to online and blended learning opportunities. VTVLC works under a cooperative model with public schools and districts, and partners with other entities to support flexible pathway for students, as well as to provide access to accredited curricula and courses for schools to use. There are no fees associated with being a partner school but there are differences in the number of enrollments and options a partner school can offer to students at no cost based on whether they contribute teaching partners to the cooperative model. As a flexible pathway, online and blended learning offers schools, students, and families access to a learning environment and structure that can address the diverse educational needs of individual students and groups of students.  

One of the goals of VTVLC is to overcome some of the common barriers that prevent students from taking the courses they want or need in schools. These barriers include availability of courses, accessibility to courses, and the flexibility of the learning environment. VTVLC works with your school to give you access to the courses you want or need during a time that works for you by offering the course online. All courses offered by VTVLC online are accessible from anywhere, anytime. Whether you learn best at 1 a.m. or 1 p.m., at school or at home, your online courses are only a click away.  

State-supported Flexible Pathway 

The Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) provides state funding to support these types of programs to provide access to online learning. Online learning is just one flexible pathway that a student may choose on their path to graduation. Students pursuing flexible pathways remain in attendance at their respective schools and continue to work toward meeting graduation requirements. 

The AOE continues to support growing and sustaining this flexible pathway to meet the diverse learning needs of students statewide. The AOE has created toolkits that can be found on the Flexible Pathways webpage to assist schools in determining if online learning, as well as other flexible pathways, is an appropriate pathway for both the school and student. 

Information for Schools 

The Vermont Agency of Education has continued to support VTVLC with expanded support for elementary learning, with the addition of K-6 curriculum to its existing K-12 curriculum. The VTVLC Student Spotlight page demonstrates how this program works for students. 

Full-Time Options for Students 

VTVLC offers two types of full-time enrollment for high school students: ‘Full Time Enrollment’ and ‘Collaborative Diploma Program (CDP)’. If the student currently attends a school, the first step should be to inquire with the local school regarding full time enrollment with VTVLC. If the student lives in a town with a non-operating school, the first step should be to coordinate with their district of residence and VTVLC. VTVLC is currently partnered with Richford Jr-Sr High School, Hazen Union High School, White River Valley Middle and High School, Rochester School, and Stockbridge Central School to provide full-time programming.  

Full-Time K-8

K-8 students will be taught their Core Subjects (Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts) from a certified Vermont Educator who also holds the Online Teaching Specialist Endorsement (OTS). 

Students will have daily Core Subject meetings, small-group, and personalized one-on-one instruction. VTVLC coursework is licensed and specifically designed for students to learn online. Your local school will provide devices, meals, and counseling as appropriate. 

In addition to the daily meetings, each teacher will have “online office hours” so students can reach out and receive additional help when needed. These sessions will be “synchronous”, meaning they will be meeting live in a virtual meeting. In addition, much of the work which is being done online can be done “asynchronously” at a time that is convenient for both the student and family. 

Full-Time 9-12 

Students in grades 9-12 will enroll in all Core Subjects (Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts) and learn from certified Vermont Educators who also hold the Online Teaching Specialist Endorsement (OTS). Electives are available for a complete program. Schools continue to provide devices, meals, and counseling. 

Students will receive additional support from the VTVLC Student Support Staff, who will monitor their weekly progress. VTVLC coursework is licensed and specifically designed for students to learn online. Each teacher will have “online office hours” so students can reach out and receive additional help when needed. These sessions will be “synchronous”, meaning they will be meeting live in a virtual meeting. In addition, much of the work which is being done online can be done “asynchronously” at a time that is convenient for both the student and family. Assignments will be based on weekly work, and not daily, ensuring that a more flexible learning environment can be adapted to each student. 

High school courses are designed to help support students develop self-direction and improve their communication skills. Assessments include pre-assessments, discussion forums, discussion-based assessments, collaboration activities, and written assessments. Re-assessments are offered with teacher feedback to help build student proficiency. Core academics are NCAA aligned and standards based. 

To find more information on the cost for full-time enrollment visit the VTVLC website. 

K-12 Collaborative Diploma Program Cost 

This program allows students who live in a town with a non-operating school (sometimes called a choice town or tuition town) the option of earning their high school diploma from a geographically distant Vermont public high school. Supported by VTVLC, students can work with a CDP school and enroll in core academic courses, electives, project-based learning, and even health and personal fitness courses entirely online. VTVLC is currently partnered with Richford Jr-Sr High School (7-12), Hazen Union High School (7-12), White River Valley Middle and High School (7-12), Rochester School, and Stockbridge Central School (K-6) to provide full-time programming.   

Students will work with an advisor/mentor from their CDP school and be supported by VTVLC teachers holding both Vermont content area endorsements and the additional Online Teaching Specialist (OTS) endorsement. In addition, a student success coach and a team of VTVLC staff will be available to assist students with everything from technical questions to time management. 

There is no cost to the student if they reside in a non-operating town. 

Partnering Schools 

For information about partnering with VTVLC whether as a Teaching Partner School or as a Non-Teaching Partner School please refer to the VTVLC Partnership page. 

 VTVLC Supports Include:   

  1. Director of Special Education for coordination of supports with local case managers and special educators for students on IEPs and 504 Plans.

  1. Support staff for registration, student, and family support 

  1. Coordination with school counselors regarding class schedules, transcription, and grade level transition 

  1. Tier I LMS Support & VTVLC Tech Support Team 

  1. Technology ecosystem, including SIS and LMS, that supports proficiency-based grading. 

Information for Students/Families 

In the sections below, please find information about how your students can access VTVLC

VTVLC Student Testimonials – Vermont students enrolled in VTVLC are finding online learning fun, flexible, and rewarding. Visit the VTVLC student spotlight page to read more. 

VTVLC as a full-time option for students 

Online and Blended Learning as a Flexible Pathway is an opportunity for families on a case-by-case basis that can be addressed through a student’s Personalized Learning Plan (PLP). This option requires planning between the family, school, and VTVLC. 

VTVLC offers two types of full-time enrollment for high school students: ‘Full Time Enrollment’ and ‘Collaborative Diploma Program (CDP).’ If the student currently attends a school, the first step should be to inquire with the local school regarding full time enrollment with VTVLC. If the student lives in a town within a non-operating district, the first step should be to contact VTVLC. 

Option 1: Full Time Enrollment K-12 

Students in grades K-12 will enroll in all Core Subjects (Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts) and learn from certified Vermont Educators who also hold the Online Teaching Specialist Endorsement (OTS). Electives are available for a complete program. Schools continue to provide devices, meals, and counseling. 

Option 2: Collaborative Diploma Program (CDP) 

This program allows students who live in a town within a non-operating district, the option of earning their high school diploma from a geographically distant Vermont public high school. Supported by VTVLC, students can work with a CDP school and enroll in core academic courses, electives, project-based learning, and even health and personal fitness courses entirely online. 

Students will work with an advisor/mentor from their CDP school and be supported by VTVLC teachers holding both Vermont content area endorsements and the additional Online Teaching Specialist (OTS) endorsement. In addition, a student success coach, and a team of VTVLC staff will be available to assist students with everything from technical questions to time management. 

Information for Home Study Students/Families 

There are two options for Home Study students to access VTVLC curriculum - parent facilitated and teacher facilitated.  

Teacher facilitated option allows you to enroll your child in VTVLC courses with a Vermont licensed teacher who also holds the Online Teaching Specialist endorsement. You may enroll your child in either (or a combination of) Traditional or On-Demand enrollment courses. 

There are two different ways in which the fees can be covered. You can ask for support from the local school or pay out of pocket.