Virtual Schools
A virtual school is a public school in which the school uses technology to deliver a significant portion of instruction to its students via the internet in a virtual or remote setting. Virtual schools are created, operated and overseen by a school district. In Tennessee, public virtual school students are measured against the same academic standards as students in traditional public school settings.
If you have questions related to public virtual schools in Tennessee, please contact Virtual.Schools@tn.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
List of Public Virtual Schools
Laws/Rules/Policies
Opening or Changing a Virtual School
Guidance and Trainings
The distance learning best practices suite includes a trio of documents designed to support teachers and observers as they implement TEAM in a distance learning environment. These documents, developed with feedback from practitioners across the state, include:
- Best Practices for Implementing TEAM Processes in a Distance Learning Environment
- Best Practices for Implementing TEAM Processes in a Distance Learning Environment
- Best Practices for Implementing TEAM Processes in a Distance Learning Environment
Resources located on the TN TEAM Teacher Evaluation Site: https://team-tn.org/teacher-evaluation/
This guidance addresses frequently asked questions related to virtual education and examines different statutory and regulatory requirements related to virtual schools and virtual education programs that operate in Tennessee.
Slide Deck: Virtual Education Guidance Webinar Slide Deck
Video Recording of Webinar: Virtual Education Guidance Webinar Recording
The department has created a virtual school monitoring framework to provide districts with a structure by which to monitor their virtual school’s efficacy, legal compliance, and operational practices. Through the monitoring process, districts will collaborate with their authorized virtual schools to reflect on practices that drive positive academic and operational outcomes for all students.
Districts that operate virtual schools may access the Virtual School Monitoring Framework in ePlan. The framework consists of two documents located within the district's ePlan document library. The framework provides an overview of the monitoring requirements, the monitoring process, and a template by which districts must capture and report monitoring findings. Districts that operate virtual schools are statutorily required to complete an annual virtual school monitoring cycle utilizing this framework; the monitoring cycle begins each year on July 1 and ends on December 15.
LEA Virtual School Monitoring Tool - PDF
Virtual School Monitoring Report Template - PDF
Virtual School Monitoring Manual – PDF
Virtual School Monitoring Slide Deck – PDF
Virtual School Monitoring Webinar – VIDEO
The department has created the following guidance document and sample memorandum of understanding to assist LEAs in their endeavor to offer virtual education opportunities to suspended or expelled students.
Virtual Instruction for Students within an Alternative Education Program