1. As a result of distance learning options, the number of students unable to enroll in desired courses will decrease by 10 percentage points.
2. Every student will have a choice of at least two foreign languages.

The consortium hired Dr. Roger Wess and Dr. Bill Agnew of Chadron State College to perform the evaluation process of our grant. One of the first actions was the collection of baseline data in May 1999 in the areas of registration conflicts and foreign language availability. Attached are the survey form and the data that was collected.

3. As a result of opportunities to participate in alternative programs, 50% of at-risk students will receive improved grades.

This objective has been re-worked to reflect that fact that grant funds were not approved for alternative and after-school programs. The target of the evaluation will be the at-risk students that enroll in regular distance learning courses.

4. The dropout rates of at-risk students will be reduced by 25 percent.

The activities for Objective 3 are also applicable here.

5. There will be a 50% increase in the number of college credits earned by high school students.

Significant progress was made for this objective when Western Nebraska Community College and Chadron State College agreed to become full partners in the Western Nebraska Distance Learning Consortium in February 1999. Both institutions have agreed to provide a number of courses each semester targeted at high school students.

6. As a result of opportunities to receive instruction while under suspension or expulsion, there will be a 25% decrease in the number of course failures by these students.

This objective has been dropped because grant funds were not approved for alternative and after-school programs. The WNDLC Principal's Council is exploring the possibility of using the distance learning system for summer school for students who have failed regular courses during the school year.

8. The grades and graduation rates of Hispanic and Native American students will be more comparable to the non-Hispanic population than prior to distance learning.

Data will be available after the 1999-2000 that will be able to show progress against this objective.

9. 75 percent of DL instruction will meet established criteria of high quality.

Three days of teacher training were held during the summer of 1999. 19 high school faculty and administrators participated in the training that was held on June 4, August 5 & 6. Several qualified presenters were used including Shirley Schall, coordinator of the Southwest Nebraska Distance Learning Consortium; Dr. Clark Gardener, Education Dept., Chadron State College; Jaryl Kourtemanche, Ostendorf Institute of Distance Learning, Denver, Colorado; Patricia Hoffman, director of Distance Learning, Chadron State College; and B.J. Peters, coordinator, Western Nebraska Distance Learning Consortium.

10. The amount of professional development logged by ESU #13 will increase by 30 percent.
11. As a result of increase access to professional development, teachers will express greater confidence in the efficacy of their instructional strategies.

B.J. Peters, coordinator, Western Nebraska Distance Learning Consortium and Penny Businga, director, Staff Development, ESU #13 are working closely to move traditional staff development training to the distance learning system when possible. Staff development evaluations have been modified in order to measure progress against Objective #10.

12. 75 percent of students in grades 9-12 will demonstrate proficiency in accessing information through telecommunications.

Oct. 1, 1998 - Western Nebraska Distance Learning Consortium hires B.J. Peters as WNDLC Coordinator.

Oct. 12, 1998 - WNDLC members: ESU #13, Bridgeport, Gering, Mitchell, Morrill, Chadron, Crawford, Gordon, Hay Springs, Hemingford, Rushville, and Sioux County, all approved an interlocal cooperation agreement.

Dec. 9, 1998 - The WNDLC Governing Board approved a contract with U.S. West to provide the video and data telecommunications system.

Jan. 21, 1999 - The WNDLC Governing Board approved the WNDLC by-laws.

Jan. 21, 1999 - WNDLC Governing Board agrees to Chadron State College and Scottsbluff High School joining the consortium.

Jan. 21, 1999 - WNDLC Governing Board elects executive board….Don Wagner-Mitchell (President), Gary Fisher-Crawford (Vice-President), B.J. Peters-WNDLC Coordinator (Secretary), ESU #13 (Treasurer), Dale Eberhart-Chadron (Northern Representative), Gary Schmucker-Gering (Southern Representative), Terry Miller-ESU #13 (ESU Respresentative).

March 17, 1999 - WNDLC Governing Board approves Policies and Procedures Manual developed by the WNDLC Principal's Council.

March 17, 1999 - WNDLC Governing Board approves proposal for interactive television classroom equipment from Cytek Media Systems of Topeka, Kansas.

March 17, 1999 - WNDLC Governing Board agrees to Western Nebraska Community College joining the consortium.

May 12, 1999 - WNDLC Principal's Council approves Fall 1999 course schedule.

June 1999 - Phase One schools (Bridgeport, Gering, Mitchell, & Morrill) complete room remodeling.

August 1-5, 1999 - Cytek Media Systems installs classroom equipment to four schools (Bridgeport, Gering, Mitchell, & Morrill).

August 1999 - US West and Sprint Telephone Companies complete the installation of fiber optic phone lines to each of the sites (Bridgeport, Gering, Scottsbluff, Mitchell, Morrill, & Western Nebraska Community College).

August 22, 1999 - Interactive video system tested for the first time between schools.

August 23, 1999 - Classes start for the first time over the WNDLC system.

None

A key component of the Western Nebraska proposal was the intent of participating schools to help support the project with in-kind funds. Below details some of the areas that in-kinds funds were contributed by the 12 participating entities:

Each school is also responsible for remodeling the classroom that houses the distance learning system and for providing the tables and chairs in the classroom as well. For the first year schools this total was several thousand dollars per school.