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Board approves Pearson licenses for virtual learning; pilot data discussed
Summary
The Hamtramck Board of Education approved purchase of 65 virtual licenses for its Virtual Learning Initiative (VLI) after a summer presentation on a small pilot and public comment comparing pass rates for different instructor models.
The Hamtramck Board of Education on a voice vote approved purchase of 65 virtual licenses from Pearson Virtual Schools for the district’s Virtual Learning Initiative, with a total cost not to exceed $220,935. The purchase was approved by motion, second and a recorded vote of six ayes and one absent.
The vote followed a summer presentation on the VLI program from Patrick Cashin, who identified himself as the VOI specialist. Cashin described summer work to “pilot about 10 students” in a small cohort to test program changes and said the district will track data this semester to measure whether the new approach improves outcomes.
The approval matter originated as Resolution No. 7 on the meeting agenda. Motion language recorded at the meeting was: “Resolved that the board of education does hereby approve the purchase of 65 virtual licenses from Pearson Virtual Schools for the VLI program. Total cost not to exceed 220,935.” The motion was made by Mr. Farris and seconded by Miss Watson; the board recorded 6 ayes, 1 absent and the motion carried.
During the audience-participation portion of the meeting, one commenter identified as Miss Coral contrasted past and recent pass rates for virtual coursework. Coral said that in 2023 — when VLI teachers were district (HPS) teachers — the pass rate was 76 percent, and that “this past year, they were Pearson teachers with a 72 percent pass rate.” Coral also noted questions about district spending that she said were related to human-resources contracting (see separate public-comment article).
Board materials and the motion record list the vendor and the not-to-exceed amount; the transcript did not include additional detail about license term length, renewal clauses, or which district staff will manage the Pearson contracts. The board did not amend the purchase at the meeting.
Less-critical details: the VLI presentation was delivered during the reports section of the meeting; the purchase vote appeared later among action items. The board’s recorded roll-call and vote total (6 ayes, 1 absent) applied to this and several other resolutions that evening.
