ECOT

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ECOT -- the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow -- is a community/charter school based in Columbus, Ohio, USA. It is sponsored by the Lucas County Educational Service Center (LCESC) in Toledo, in accordance with chapter 3314 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Students perform their work either via computers which already they own, or which are supplied to them by the school. Work is performed online via secure intranet connections.

ECOT was founded in 2000 by William "Bill" Lager, under an agreement with the Lucas County Educational Service Center; And it is managed by his company, Altair Learning Management.

Under Ohio law, "community schools" are independent public schools that offer school choice to parents, students and teachers. They are accountable to the public by a contract with a sponsor, such as a school district, or the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). In ECOT’s case, the school is accountable to LCESC and its publicly-elected Board. Community schools cannot charge tuition and must follow all laws pertaining to health, public safety and civil rights.

Students are required to take state-mandated proficiency/achievement tests, and other examinations prescribed by law. Students are required to pass the Ohio Graduation Test to receive a diploma.

Technically speaking, ECOT is not a "home schooling" program. It is a public community school, subject to all the laws and regulations thereof. (See the ODE website for more detailed information regarding home schooling in the state of Ohio.)

Students are expected to attend classes online for 25 hours per weeek during the school year, comparable to the time which students in "brick-and-mortar" schools are also expected to attend. Attendance need not adhere to traditional time conventions however; Affording flexibility to students and families not typically available in traditional educational settings.

While students must be residents of the state, their education need not take place in the state. Education, not temporary location, is the focus. Travel need not hamper learning. Students whom must be outside the state for various reasons may participate. Common reasons for location-independent learning include:

Competitions/Shows. (Sporting, agricultural, musical, animal, artistic, etc...)
Training. (ECOT has served the needs of Olympic hopefulls, students with recording contracts, musicians, and others.)
Medical. (Certain conditions may compell families to seek treatments, operations, or physicians not available within Ohio; Or they may face situations which would be difficult for a traditional school environment to accommidate.)
Vacations. (Yes, one can learn while "on the go." Some families choose to combine education with their vacations.)
Parental obligations. (Migrant work/farming, military service, temporary corporate reassignment, etc...)
Military service. (Provided students retain their Ohio resident status: Parental transfers and relocations need not disrupt educational continuity.)

1 Scope
2 Accreditation
3 Teachers
4 Regional Education Centers
5 Structure
6 Graduates
7 Contact Information

[edit] Scope

ECOT serves a student body ranging from Kg to the 12th grade.

Students must be residents of the state of Ohio.

Students must be at least 5 years of age, and no more than 21 years old.

ECOT is a public, tuition-free school available to all who meet the aforementioned criteria.

[edit] Accreditation

ECOT is accredited by the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA).

[edit] Teachers

All teachers employed by ECOT meet, or exceed, the "Highly Qualified" standards set forth under the No Child Left Behind guidelines.

These standards were voluntarily adopted and put into effect before they were required by law.

[edit] Regional Education Centers

In addition to the Columbus headquarters, ECOT has established Regional Educational Centers (RECs) in Cleveland, and Dayton.

Students and parents/guardians may use these facilities for orientation, to contact teachers face-to-face, submit work, take tests, and to receive technical support for computer/curriculum issues they may experience.

The REC centers host workshops, class activities, tutorial sessions, test preparation, counseling, and career development opportunities.

[edit] Structure

ECOT is divided into three "schools," which follow traditional guidelines.

The Elementary School comprises grades Kg through 6. Middle School consists of grades 7 and 8. The High School covers grades 9 to 12. Each is supervised by its own Principal.

[edit] Graduates

ECOT was the first electronic charter school in the nation to graduate students. In 2001, ECOT graduated 21 students.

In 2002, there were 56 graduates.

In 2003, over 200 students graduated from ECOT.

Students receive traditional high school diplomas, as authorized by the Ohio Department of Education.

The school's first graduation ceremonies were held in the Ohio State House. In later years, larger venues became necessary due to Public Occupancy Limits, and are presently being held at Germain Amphitheater. In 2006 the graduating class was just shy of 800 students.

High School Graduates must meet, or exceed, Ohio standards for learning to graduate. At present those standards are:

English/Language Arts: 4 credits
Math: 3 credits
Science: 3 credits (1 biological, 1 physical, and 1 other)
Social Studies: 3 credits (1 American Studies/History, 1 Government, 1 other)
Health/Physical Education: 1 credit (Health and Physical Education are worth 1/2 credit each)
Electives: 6 credits (Must include 1 credit in Businesss/Technology, Fine Arts or Foreign Language)