BESE Course Choice Submission Package: Preamble The mission of the Louisiana Course Choice program is to expand access to quality course offerings to all Louisiana students. Course Choice provides this access to high quality course offerings to Louisiana students while holding course providers accountable for academic outcomes. According to statute, BESE authorizes Course Choice course providers. As with charters, course providers will sign a contract with definitive conditions and terms. Unlike with charters, however, the Department maintains a proactive role in insuring Course Choice course provider quality and accountability. Attached please find a package of Course Choice course provider snapshots. These are the 45 course providers the Department is recommending that BESE Approve for final contract negotiations. These 45 course providers - representing fewer than half the Course Choice applications submitted - have completed a comprehensive vetting process: Process 1: Applications - every course provider submitted an application that the Department evaluated for instructional quality, credible content, focus on serving special education students, accountability, quality control and a sound enterprise model. Many course providers had their initial applications deferred or rejected, and then chose to rework and resubmit their applications. The Course Choice team dedicated quite a bit of effort - particularly with Louisiana educational entrepreneurs - to help course providers submit their best possible application; Process 2: Interviews - every course provider that earned an Accept designation with their application then entered into the multi-phase Interview process. Course providers were required to submit pre-interview descriptions of their course offerings and quality control mechanisms. Trained Department interviewers - with areas of expertise matched to the offerings of the course providers - conducted hour-long interviews with course provider leadership teams. The course providers then responded to post-interview written questions and (in 24 cases) additional follow-up email queries. The feedback we've received from course providers is that this process has been very demanding, well organized and focused. Process 3: Independent Panel Reviews - course providers that earned a Proceed designation after their interviews had their credentials submitted to an online panel of independent reviewers. These independent reviewers provided a Favorable or Unfavorable evaluation based solely on the online package of materials we provided to them. This is not the end of the selection process for Course Choice course providers - they must still negotiate a final, definitive contract with the Department that will include (among many elements) specific and demanding accountability and quality control standards. Our goal in today's meeting is to receive from BESE their determination of which course providers they will Approve for final, definitive negotiations. During these negotiations, Department team members will reach final agreement with course providers on the specific course titles they will offer, the tuitions associated with each course, their accountability and quality control obligations, their reporting obligations, and many, many other specific conditions. Each course provider snapshot provides their background, proposed course offerings and tuition levels, and the Department's indication of why we believe each course provider merits inclusion in the program. These snapshots also include the key issues we believe remain to be resolved with each course provider during final post-BESE approval negotiations. Course Choice "Recommend Approve" Course Providers: Firmographics No Course Provider Modality Type Level Hybrid EE High School 24 K12 Virtual Schools LLC. Virtual Grades 6 - 12 Hybrid L High School 25 K12, Inc. Virtual Grades 6 - 12 3 Acadiana Symphony Face2Face L Elementary 26 Livingston Parish Course Choice Hybrid P High School 4 Advanced Academics Virtual 27 Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) Hybrid L High School 5 Alliance Safety Council Hybrid 6 Apex 7 ATS Project Success Face2Face High School 1 1 Mind Acadian Companies, National EMS Academy 2 Grades 6 - 12 Course Provider Modality Type Level High School 28 Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts Face2Face L Grades 6 - 12 Virtual High School 29 Louisiana We Educate Face2Face EE High School Virtual 8 Bard Early College K - 12 30 Louisiana's College Course Choice Collaborative Face2Face L 9 Bossier Parish Schools Hybrid 10 Bridgewater Academy L No Virtual 11 Caddo Career and Tech Ed. 12 Caddo Parish Public Schools Cambium Education, Inc. dba Lincoln 13 National Academy 14 Connections 15 Cyber Innovation Center 16 Dillard University P High School Grades 6 - 12 Face2Face P High School Virtual P Grades 6 - 12 Virtual High School Virtual K - 12 Face2Face L Face2Face L High School High School 31 Middlebury Virtual 32 mSchool Hybrid 33 PEC Pelican Chapter, Associated Builders and Contractors, 34 Inc. 35 Prepworks (pilot test) 36 Princeton Review EE K - 12 Face2Face L High School Face2Face L High School Virtual High School Hybrid High School 37 Reaching Every Teacher Virtual 38 Rocket Learning Partners, LLC. 39 S.M.A.R.T. Start Hybrid EE EE K-8 42 St. James Parish Schools Hybrid P Grades 6 - 12 43 The American Academy Virtual Virtual Grades 6 - 12 Hybrid High School 19 FastPath Learning (pilot test) Virtual 20 Florida Virtual School Virtual 21 Grade Results Virtual High School 44 Universtiy of New Orleans 22 Hype Academy, LLC. Hybrid EE High School 45 VSCHOOLZ 23 Jude Dubois Virtual EE Face2Face High School Virtual Modalities - Virtual Hybrid Face2Face 20 13 12 Org Type - Educational Entrepreneur Parish School System Other Louisiana-Based Course Provider 7 5 13 Grade Levels - High School Grades 6 - 12 K - 12 Elementary 28 9 7 1 Other Categories - AP Providers Dual Enrollment (in addition to AP) CTE Providers Internship Providers 13 6 13 6 November 26, 2012 High School K - 12 Face2Face 40 SmartStart Education, LLC. Virtual South Central Laborers' Training & Apprenticeship Fund 41 Face2Face 17 E2020, Inc. Educate, Inc. dba Sylvan Learning Center 18 High School High School High School Grades 6 - 12 L High School K - 12 High School L High School K - 12 Proposed Course Choice Providers 1 Mind Contact Name Juana Domingue one.mind.la@gmail.com Address 10101 Park Rowe Ste. 180 Baton Rouge, LA 70810 Course Type Hybrid Description of Course Offerings 1 Mind has applied to offer courses in three CTE areas: 1) barbering; 2) cosmetology; and 3) oil and gas production. Their instructional model is a hybrid of face-to-face and online education. Their course tuitions are higher than average because they include all of the materials (uniforms, equipment) a student will require to work professionally in the area he / she is receiving training. 1 Mind team members significantly evolved and improved their application and proposed offerings based on LDE feedback. Team member / experts will be the hands-on teachers in each course offering. The 1 Mind team has significantly narrowed the scope of their offerings and have developed a more effective Year 1 enterprise model. Rationale for Approval Acadian Companies, National EMS Academy Contact Name Josh Chamblin jchamblin@acadian.com Address P. O. Box 98000 Lafayette, LA 70509 Course Type Hybrid Description of Course Offerings Hands-on training by a premier emergency response company, helping students grow from basic EMT technicians to fully-trained first responders Acadian's long-term commitment to Louisiana - and Acadian's long-term commitment to training Louisiana's young people for critical health care / first responder career paths. Rationale for Approval Page | 1 Proposed Course Choice Providers Acadiana Symphony Contact Name Jenny Kreuger executivedirector@acadinanasymphony.org Address 412 Travis St. Lafayette, LA 70503 Course Type Face-to-Face Description of Course Offerings A music appreciation class for elementary students, utilizing a proven curriculum that helps build language and critical reasoning skills Rationale for Approval Arts and language skills enrichment opportunities for elementary students in the Lafayette area. Advanced Academics Contact Name Gary L. Crary gcrary@advancedacademics.com Address 1 East Sheridan Suite 500 Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Extensive K - 12 academic and credit recovery course offerings, with a focus on high-quality instruction to accompany online course offerings. Rationale for Approval Extensive track record of success, focus on high quality instruction. Page | 2 Proposed Course Choice Providers Alliance Safety Council Contact Name Dianna Braud dbraud@alliancesafetycouncil.org Address 10099 N. Reiger Rd. Baton Rouge, LA 70809 Course Type Hybrid Description of Course Offerings A single pilot course to help high school students develop the life, safety and job skills necessary to be productive, successful employed adults. Rationale for Approval Alliance Safety Council has the statewide infrastructure, premier reputation and industry support necessary to expand this new course offering to all Louisiana students. Apex Contact Name Lars Gaarde larsga@apexlearning.com Address 1215 Fourth Ave, Suite 1500 Seattle, WA 98161 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Extensive high school and advance placement / college credit course offerings. Rationale for Approval Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success, proveneffective technology platform, responsive instruction. Page | 3 Proposed Course Choice Providers ATS Project Success Contact Name Renee Weaver-Wright info@atsprojectsuccessworks.com Address 20674 Hall Road Clinton Township, MI 48038 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Extensive K - 12 academic and credit recovery course offerings, with a focus on high-quality instruction to accompany online course offerings. Rationale for Approval Extensive track record of success, focus on high quality instruction. Bard Early College Contact Name Stephen Tremaine tremaine@bard.edu Address 727 Carondelet New Orleans, LA 70130 Course Type Face-to-Face Description of Course Offerings Two intensive liberal arts course offerings that will challenge high school students to develop college-level critical thinking and communications / writing skills. Amazing curricula, subsidized transportation and tuition costs, dedication to lifetime success for enrolled students. Rationale for Approval Page | 4 Proposed Course Choice Providers Bossier Parish Schools Contact Name Sally Namie sally.namie@bossierschools.org Address P. O. Box 2000 Benton, LA 71006 Course Type Hybrid Description of Course Offerings AP, academic and CTE courses offered using a hybrid modality (online and face-to-face). Rationale for Approval Strong track record of AP exam success over two times the state average by Bossier students should earn Bossier Parish approval despite the IEP Unfavorable rating. Bridgewater Academy Contact Name Heather Clark hclark@glynlyon.com Address 300 N. McKemy Ave. Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Extensive online academic offerings for students grades 6 -12 Rationale for Approval Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success. Page | 5 Proposed Course Choice Providers Caddo Career and Tech Ed. Contact Name Gayle Flowers gflowers@caddo.k12.la.us Address P.O. Box 32000 Shreveport, LA 71130 Course Type Face-to-Face Description of Course Offerings Extensive CTE course offerings - with opportunities for students to earn multiple industry-based certifications (IBCs) - in a proven-effective faceto-face setting for students in Northwest Louisiana. Proven track record of effective instruction and student outcomes. Rationale for Approval Caddo Parish Public Schools Contact Name Rosemary Woodard rwoodard@caddo.k12.la.us Address 1961 Midway Shreveport, LA 71108 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Extensive grades 6 - 12 academic and high tech CTE course offerings, delivered online with strong available instruction / mentoring. Rationale for Approval Proven effective technical platform, focus on effective instruction and superior student outcomes. Page | 6 Proposed Course Choice Providers Cambium Education, Inc. dba Lincoln National Academy Contact Name Cathy Sump Cathy.sump@cambiumlearning.com Address 4093 Specialty Place Longmont, CO 80504 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Extensive high school academic course offerings. Rationale for Approval Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success, proveneffective technology platform, responsive instruction. Connections Contact Name Tim Jones tjones@connectionseducation.com Address 8621 Robert Fulton Drive Columbia, MD 21046 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Extensive K - 12 and advance placement / college credit course offerings. Rationale for Approval Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success, proveneffective technology platform, responsive instruction. Page | 7 Proposed Course Choice Providers Cyber Innovation Center Contact Name G.B. Cazes gb.cazes@cyberinnovationcenter.org Address 6300 East Texas, Suite 100 Bossier City, LA 71111 Course Type Face-to-Face Description of Course Offerings Cutting-edge physics courses involving highly trained instructors and online resources Rationale for Approval The gateway to utilizing CIC and a network of LEAs to deliver high impact STEM courses throughout the State . . . potentially catalyzing the development of new cyber-technology jobs in Louisiana. Dillard University Contact Name Alecia Cyprian acyprian@dillard.edu Address 2601 Gentilly Boulevard New Orleans, LA Course Type Face-to-Face Description of Course Offerings A limited selection of core liberal arts academic courses (writing, biology, Spanish and French, basic math / algebra) available to students in the New Orleans / Baton Rouge areas Ability for a university with a track record of excellence to provide beginning liberal arts curriculum to Louisiana students. Rationale for Approval Page | 8 Proposed Course Choice Providers E2020, Inc. Contact Name Lynette McVay lmcvay@education2020.com Address 7303 E. Earll Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Extensive course offerings for middle and high school students, including core academic subjects, AP courses, introductory CTE courses and test preparation courses. Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success, proveneffective technology platform, responsive instruction. Rationale for Approval Educate, Inc. dba Sylvan Learning Center Contact Name Tabatha Sweeny-Gehrt tabatha.sweeney-gehrt@sylvanlearning.com Address 1001 Fleet Street Baltimore, MD 21202 Course Type Hybrid Description of Course Offerings AP and ACT test preparation courses, and an algebra course. Rationale for Approval Long track record of successfully helping students learn key subject areas and perform well on critical high stakes tests. Page | 9 Proposed Course Choice Providers FastPath Learning Contact Name David Callaway dcallaway@fastpathlearning.com Address 6851 Austin Centre Blvd., #320 Austin, TX 78731 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Highest quality K - 12 online materials to help young students develop effective ELA / math skills. Rationale for Approval Proven national offering that helps build critical ELA and math skills in students of all grades and abilities. As a pilot program, this provider is willing to make its second tuition payment contingent on the achievement of specified student outcomes, including "stretch" outcomes on key high stakes tests. Florida Virtual School Contact Name Lori Gully lgully@flvs.net Address 2145 Metrocenter Blvd., Ste 200 Orlando, FL 32835 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Focused set of course offerings for middle and high school students, including core academic subjects, AP courses, and extensive foreign language courses. Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success, proveneffective technology platform, responsive instruction. Rationale for Approval Page | 10 Proposed Course Choice Providers Grade Results, Inc. Contact Name Suzanne McElyea smcelyea@graderesults.com Address 1316 Newport Dr. Carrollton, TX 75006 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Focused set of core academic course offerings for high school students Rationale for Approval Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success, proveneffective technology platform, responsive instruction. Hype Academy, LLC. Contact Name Arianne Craig Jolla youngpeopleexcel@hypeacademy.com Address 5951 Bullard Ave. New Orleans, LA 70128 Course Type Hybrid Description of Course Offerings Face-to-face Small Business Entrepreneurship course. Rationale for Approval Effective, responsive instruction provided by a dedicated New Orleansarea educator / entrepreneur. Page | 11 Proposed Course Choice Providers Jude Dubois Contact Name Gerald "Jude" Dubois jduboistlt@gmail.com Address 203 Pilgrimage Drive Lafayette, LA 70506 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Online Algebra course taught by an award-winning Louisiana educator. Rationale for Approval Focused course offering provided by an award-winning instructor of proven excellence. K12 Virtual Schools LLC. Contact Name John Olsen jolsen@k12.com Address 2300 Corporate Park Drive Herndon, VA 20171 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Extensive grades 6 - 12 academic and AP course offerings. Rationale for Approval Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success, proveneffective technology platform, responsive instruction. Page | 12 Proposed Course Choice Providers K12, Inc. Contact Name Rikki Black rikki@edsolcorp.com Address P. O. Box 1008 Ruston, LA 71273 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Extensive grades 6 - 12 academic and CTE course offerings. Rationale for Approval Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success, proveneffective technology platform, responsive instruction. Livingston Parish Course Choice Contact Name Jody W. Purvis Jody.purvis@lpsb.org Address P.O. Box 1130 Livingston, LA 70754 Course Type Hybrid Description of Course Offerings Focused set of core academic course offerings for high school students. Rationale for Approval Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success, proveneffective technology platform, responsive instruction. Page | 13 Proposed Course Choice Providers Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) Contact Name Ellen Wydra ewydra@lpb.org Address 7733 Perkins Road Baton Rouge, LA 70810 Course Type Hybrid Description of Course Offerings Select courses (science, foreign language, fine arts) utilizing LPB's unique intellectual property. Rationale for Approval Continuation of LBP's core mission of enhancing the education of Louisiana students. Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Contact Name Natalie Istre nistre@lsmsa.edu Address 715 University Parkway Natchitoches, LA Course Type Face-to-Face Description of Course Offerings Select STEM, arts and AP courses delivered by LSMSA face-to-face in Northwest Louisiana, and for select courses statewide via online offerings. Critical course offerings, long track record of success, proven-effective instruction. Rationale for Approval Page | 14 Proposed Course Choice Providers Louisiana We Educate Contact Name Michael Phillips mjphillips10@hotmail.com Address 7000 Red Fox Trail #179 Shreveport, LA 71129 Course Type Face-to-Face Description of Course Offerings Test preparation instruction by a long-time Louisiana educator / entrepreneur. Rationale for Approval Effective, responsive instruction provided by a dedicated Northwest Louisiana-area educator / entrepreneur. Louisiana's College Course Choice Collaborative Contact Name James Purcell jim.purcell@la.gov Address Louisiana Board of Regents 1201 North Third St Baton Rouge, LA 70807 Course Type Face-to-Face Description of Course Offerings Extremely broad selection of dual enrollment and CTE course offerings from all Louisiana public 4 year and 2 year degree institutions. Rationale for Approval Critical course offerings, long track record of success, proven-effective instruction. Page | 15 Proposed Course Choice Providers Middlebury Contact Name Chad Schaedler cschaedler@k12.com Address 152 Maple St. Middlebury, VT 5753 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings High quality online foreign language instruction. Rationale for Approval Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success, proveneffective technology platform, responsive instruction. mSchool Contact Name Elliot Sanchez elliot@mschools.org Address 643 Magazine St. #206 New Orleans, LA 70130 Course Type Hybrid Description of Course Offerings Core mathematics courses for K - 12 students offered by a Louisiana educational entrepreneur. Rationale for Approval Focus on building critical math skills among all Louisiana students. Page | 16 Proposed Course Choice Providers PEC Safety Management Contact Name Chris England chris@pecsafety.com Address 233 General patton Avenue Mandeville, LA 70471 Course Type Face-to-Face Description of Course Offerings Unique Oil Patch Preparation System (OPPS) course offering that provides extensive skills directly applicable to future employment in any refinery setting. Unique course offering that will provide enrolled students with high demand job skills. Rationale for Approval Pelican Chapter, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. Contact Name Robert Clouatre rclouatre@abcpelican.com Address 19251 Highland Road Baton Rouge, LA Course Type Face-to-Face Description of Course Offerings Hands-on CTE training in critical construction trades where Louisiana faces a "skill gap" (i.e. too few trained construction workers versus the plans for facility construction / expansion throughout Louisiana) Highest quality CTE training available, long supported and trusted by industry and academia. Rationale for Approval Page | 17 Proposed Course Choice Providers Prepworks Contact Name Tracy LaFlamme Ortega tortega@prepworks2400.com Address 604 Crandon Blvd. Ste. 201 Key Biscayne, FL 33149 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Focused set of course offerings on high school academic courses and their high stakes end-of-course exams. Rationale for Approval Proven ability to deliver enhanced student outcomes, including improved high stakes test scores. As a pilot program, this provider is willing to make its second tuition payment contingent on the achievement of specified student outcomes, including "stretch" outcomes on key high stakes tests. Princeton Review Contact Name Jennifer Blevins jblevins@review.com Address 111 Speen Street, Suite 500 Framingham, MA 1701 Course Type Hybrid Description of Course Offerings ACT test preparation courses. Rationale for Approval Long track record of successfully helping students learn key subject areas and perform well on critical high stakes tests. Page | 18 Proposed Course Choice Providers Reaching Every Teacher Contact Name Patricia Carley sales@reachingeveryteacher.com Address P.O.Box 78181 Baton Rouge, LA 70739 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Focused set of online core academic course offerings for high school students delivered by proven-effective Louisiana educators / entrepreneurs. Effective, responsive instruction provided by a dedicated educators / entrepreneurs. Rationale for Approval Rocket Learning Partners, LLC. Contact Name Jason T. Green jasongreen@rocketlearning.net Address 20295 NE 29th Place #201 Aventura, FL 33180 Course Type Hybrid Description of Course Offerings Focused set of online STEM courses, including K - 12 mathematics, AP courses, computer science and science courses. Rationale for Approval Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success, proveneffective technology platform, responsive instruction. Page | 19 Proposed Course Choice Providers S.M.A.R.T. Start Contact Name Latroya Handy smartstartministries@gmail.com Address 24400 Eleanor Dr. Plaquemine, LA 70764 Course Type Face-to-Face Description of Course Offerings A focused curriculum - Nursing courses, sociology and psychology - taught to Iberville Parish students by experienced educators / entrepreneurs. Effective, responsive instruction provided by a dedicated educators / entrepreneurs. Rationale for Approval SmartStart Education, LLC. Contact Name Isaak Aronson iaronson@smartstarteducation.com Address 59 Elm St., Suite 330A New Haven, CT 6510 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Focused set of core academic course offerings for middle and high school students. Rationale for Approval Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success, proveneffective technology platform, responsive instruction. Page | 20 Proposed Course Choice Providers South Central Laborers' Training & Apprenticeship Fund Contact Name James R. Gueho randy@scltf.org Address P. O. Box 376 Livonia, LA 70755 Course Type Face-to-Face Description of Course Offerings Hands-on CTE training for construction trades in the Baton Rouge / Jefferson county region, including safety, emergency response and basic math / reasoning skills. Proven-effective training capabilities and facilities for construction trades. Rationale for Approval St. James Parish Schools Contact Name Becky Louque belouque@stjames.k12.la.us Address 1876 West Main Street/Post Office Box 338 Lutcher, LA 70071 Course Type Hybrid Description of Course Offerings Comprehensive K - 12 academic, CTE and AP course offerings, offered online statewide and face-to-face locally. Rationale for Approval Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success, proveneffective technology platform, responsive instruction. Page | 21 Proposed Course Choice Providers The American Academy Contact Name Allison Sorensen Allison.Sorensen@taaschools.net Address 175 South Main St., Ste. 1130 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Extensive online middle and high school academic and arts course offerings. Rationale for Approval Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success, proveneffective technology platform, responsive instruction. University of New Orleans Contact Name Kenneth R. Zangla kzangla@uno.edu Address 2000 Lakeshore Drive New Orleans, LA 70148 Course Type Face-to-Face Description of Course Offerings Computer Applications course offering for hearing-impaired students within commuting distance of UNO. Rationale for Approval Proven ability to deliver superior student outcomes. Page | 22 Proposed Course Choice Providers VSCHOOLZ Contact Name Rick Angelone Rick.Angelone@vschoolz.com Address 1999 N. University Dr. #204 Coral Springs, FL 33071 Course Type Virtual Description of Course Offerings Core K - 10 ELA and math course offerings. Rationale for Approval Comprehensive course offerings, long track record of success, proveneffective technology platform, responsive instruction. Page | 23 Course Choice Quality Control Quality Control - there are six layers of quality control built into the Course Choice program: Quality Level 1: Application Process - the Course Choice team reviewed applications to make sure potential course providers have: a) a legacy of effective instruction; b) effective content; c) sound quality control and accountability programs; and d) sound enterprise models. Quality Level 2: Interview Process - the Course Choice team implemented a multi-phased interview process that required each course provider to describe the content of each course offering and their proposed quality control / accountability measures ("what the students will learn and how we will document that level of learning"). Almost every course providers applied to provide multiple course offerings. It is certain that there will be course providers who are approved to participate in the Course Choice program, but after final contract negotiations will only receive approval to teach those selected course offerings that we believe will deliver a quality result. Quality Level 3: Formal and Informal Interim Course Evaluations - the Course Choice Registration System will be the conduit for a series of reports and communications between the LDE and course providers. We will require semi-monthly reports on student progress (similar to the reporting requirements that are customary within the Louisiana K - 12 educational system). We will assess the interim grades students receive. We will monitor how many students drop the course during the year. On a regular basis we will maintain contact with course providers to discuss the progress they are making with their Louisiana students. The LDE will respond promptly and appropriately to any formal or informal indications that there might be a problem with any Course Choice course offering. Quality Level 4: Post-Course Quality Evaluations - through the Course Choice Registration System the Course Choice team will review the grades received by students to see if they conform to a normal pattern of grades (and to make sure course providers have utilized the appropriate methodologies for determining grades). We will implement student and parent surveys about course / instructor quality. Most importantly, the Course Choice team will track what students have achieved versus each course provider's accountability standards, both in terms of the final exams / projects / industry-based certifications required at the end of every course as well as any high stakes exams (e.g., EOC, ACT, AP). We will develop a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of each course provider for each course offering, including a customized accountability score (where possible) based on the high stakes testing results achieved by each course provider. Quality Level 5: Annual Reviews - Act 2 mandates a review of each course provider at the end of Year 2 in a three year approval term. Our intent is to conduct annual reviews, with especially detailed evaluations where trouble flags have emerged. Quality Level 6: Third Party Evaluation of LDE / Course Choice - we're working with a Columbia University team to provide an external evaluation of the processes the LDE used to implement Course Choice. We intend to work with the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville's Department of Education Reform to conduct a multi-year, multivariate evaluation of the Course Choice program. Just as we're going to enforce quality standards on course providers, we're going to hold ourselves accountable for implementing a cost-effective, user-friendly Course Choice program that provides innovative, high-quality course offerings to Louisiana students.