Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Virtual School Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Polk County’s virtual academy faces corrective action recommendation as leaders tighten attendance and RTI supports
Summary
Polk County officials said Polk Innovative Learning Academy serves a growing, high‑need virtual population and has added RTI tiers, in‑center days and family outreach to improve outcomes. The committee recommended a corrective action plan to monitor progress.
Polk County superintendent Dr. James Jones and Polk Innovative Learning Academy principal Kenisa Hardwick told the committee the academy has grown rapidly, from a handful of students to roughly 160–170. The districts described a virtual program that serves students with medical needs, anxiety or work responsibilities and acknowledged the challenge of aligning flexible virtual schedules with daily attendance requirements.
Polk has added a special education teacher, moved to weekly academic monitoring in the curriculum platform, instituted a one‑week make‑up window for assignments, and designed a tiered RTI model requiring extra in‑center time for the lowest performers. District leaders said they are also expanding counseling access and counselor/case management supports. Committee members urged clearer daily attendance verification and recommended a corrective action plan so the department and district can formalize attendance definitions and monitoring expectations.
