Program Overview and Impact

ACCESS Virtual Learning was established in 2006 by the Alabama State Department of Education to give Alabama students access to courses that may not be available at their local schools. At no cost to schools or families, ACCESS offers more than 80 middle and high school courses taught by Alabama-certified teachers. Course options include core subjects, electives, Advanced Placement, world languages, NCAA-approved courses, and courses in ALSDE-approved Career Technical Education Pathways.

ACCESS helps schools meet a variety of needs, including teacher shortages, scheduling conflicts, limited course offerings, credit recovery, as well as the state’s online-learning requirement. Through ACCESS, students can take challenging courses while staying on track for graduation, building digital-learning skills, and pursuing opportunities that might not otherwise be available in their communities.

Statewide Support and Student Success

Three regional support centers serve schools throughout Alabama:

• Madison City Schools — Northern Alabama
• The University of Alabama — Central Alabama
• Troy University — Southern Alabama

Each support center works directly with counselors, facilitators, administrators, and other school staff to provide support based on local school needs.  Supports include in-person assistance, training, problem-solving, and ongoing guidance. By working closely with schools, the support centers help remove technical and procedural barriers while preparing staff to support virtual learners and creating a more consistent learning experience for students across the state.