Letter to Small Schools: Tell us what you think!

Good morning!

My children are seven and ten. Our family lives in rural Texas. My husband is
a retired school administrator and I am currently a high school teacher.

Generally we have been very pleased with the local elementary school where our
children attend. However, as we look ahead to the upper grades, we are
concerned. It is true that our children will be able to participate in any
sport, but their opportunities for fine arts courses, career technology, and
upper level sciences will be slim.

We understand that probably the reason for the lack of course variety is
financial. Also, the new Four by Four Graduation Requirements will limit the
number of elective classes students can take. Consequently, schools may not
hire as many electives teachers, reducing the selection even further.

I think there is a solution. The concept is outlined at
http://highschoolcourseexchange.org. Bascially, small schools cannot afford to
hire a full time Latin teacher (for example). But they can afford to pay the
course fee for one student who wishes to take Latin online. Conversely, most
teachers cannot afford to work part time. However, if 60 schools were to hire
one teacher to teach 2 students at a course per student price it would no
longer be a part-time salary.

I would like to test this idea by offering an online course to smaller schools.
Attached is a copy of my Texas teaching certificate. You can link to my
resume at http://highschoolcourseexchange.org/marilynresume.pdf.

Audio/Video Production | Vocal Music and Music Theory

Students may enroll for a single semester or a full year course.

Audio/Video Production is the structure, music is the content. Students can
choose to earn either technology credit or fine arts credit. We will cover the
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for both areas. A choral event will be
scheduled for the end of each semester for those who can attend. In addition,
all students will use multi-track music software to create choral and other
recordings.

A simple syllabus is posted at
http://highschoolcourseexchange.org/avmusicsyllabus.pdf.

Are you interested? If so, please reply and answer the following questions.

1. How many students might attend from your school?
2. What do you think would be a fair per student per course cost?
3. Do you have any suggestions for the contract?

If enough people respond, we will go to the next step.

Kind regards,

Marilyn Hagle
marilyn@hagle.com