IDEA started distance education for remote villages around Galena, Alaska, four years ago, signing up more than 1,100 students in less than nine months. Now, IDEA has 3,400 students from countries such as Russia, Spain, Malaysia and Australia. IDEA's decision to go global came about when military families from Alaska's Elmendorf Air Force Base were unable to access the program at new duty stations. IDEA offers individually tailored curriculums, graduation diplomas and college scholarship opportunities. We have teachers to be mentors, via e-mail or telephone.
Parents are able to choose the pace and structure of lessons.
IDEA only steps in when support is requested through either certified teachers or Parent Advisory Councils to be formed in each region. Parents enrolling their children in IDEA must file learning plans for each student. Parents are also required to file regular progress reports. Transcripts are available for students making the transition back to public education or to college. If parents want public school courses such as music or arts to be part of an IDEA curriculum, Bloom said the option exists for part-time enrollment on base schools.