Online Learning

File: IGBJ-R

Definitions

Online Courses:

An “online course” is one in which more than half of the content is delivered online and more than half of the instruction is delivered online by a teacher from a different location than that of the student.

Online Learning Support Team:

District/school staff that may be necessary to provide assistance to the student in accessing courses and may assist with understanding coursework and maintaining successful progress in the course.

Online Instruction:

LWSD online courses include regular interactive components in which students engage with course content with the teacher and with other students as appropriate using electronic and internet-based technologies. All online courses provided by LWSD will be instructed by a certified teacher. Instructors monitor the ongoing progress of students enrolled in their class by managing assignments, providing feedback to students, and intervening to support student learning.

Student Access to Online Courses
The district may facilitate access to the following types of online learning opportunities:

Online courses:

    1. District-created and taught online courses;
    2. District-taught online courses created by a third-party contracted provider (see I. Criteria for District Use of Non-OSPI Online Courses); and
    3. OSPI-approved online courses created and taught by third-party course providers.

Types of Online Courses Available
The district may facilitate access to the following types of online courses which may include these categories:

    1. Credit recovery courses allowing students to make up failed credits needed for graduation;
    2. Courses which may already be offered in the student’s school but are inaccessible to the student due to scheduling or other factors;
    3. Courses not available at the student’s school that meet state graduation requirements;
    4. Standard-level courses meeting high school graduation requirements;
    5. A course that meets the criteria for district use of a non-OSPI approved course.

Student Eligibility Criteria
The district will facilitate access to online learning courses and programs for students enrolled in grades 9-12. Students taking an online course must adhere to the following criteria:

    1. Complete any required prerequisites and/or receive a recommendation from appropriate staff confirming that he/she possesses the academic level needed to function effectively in an online learning environment;
    2. Comply with existing district policies for registering/enrolling in a course.
    3. Students interested in attending an online school program in another district must follow the interdistrict transfer procedures in LWSD Policy JECB 1-3 prior to entering that program.

Supporting Student Success
The district will provide the following support to students to help ensure a successful online learning experience:

    1. All online students will receive assistance from the Online Learning Support Team:
      1. Designated staff will advise students in selecting and registering for online learning options to which the district facilitates access;
      2. designated staff meet regularly with online students to ensure they are connecting to the online coursework and the online teacher and are making satisfactory progress in their online coursework;
    2. The district may offer a dedicated class period during the school day in which the student can connect to an online course and to their local mentor; and
    3. The district may offer access to online computers during and outside of the school day.

Costs/Fees

    1. Courses offered to students for which the district claims state education funding or that are included as part of the legally-required annual average total instructional hour offering of one thousand (1,000) hours will be paid for by the school district. Students/families may be responsible for normal course fees as specified by the district fee schedule.
    2. Courses offered to students for which the district claims no state education funding and that are not included as part of the legally-required annual average total instructional hour offering of one thousand (1,000) hours will be paid for by students/families. Students/families may also be responsible for normal course fees as specified by the district fee schedule.

Granting of High School Credit for Online Courses

    1. Credit for online courses will be granted in the same manner as other course offerings in the district.
    2. Currently enrolled students must seek approval from the district prior to enrolling in an online course provided outside of the district. The student will be informed in writing whether or not the course is eligible for academic credit from the district. (LWSD Policy IKF-R - Out of District Credit)
    3. For students transferring credit from online courses or programs taken while enrolled outside of the district, credit will be granted according to the district transfer credit policy (LWSD Policy IKF-R - Credit Based Requirements for Graduation).
    4. For eligible courses, if course credit is earned, the course will be recorded on the transcript using the standardized identifier for online courses provided in the Comprehensive Education Data Research System (CEDARS).
    5. Prior to enrollment, students, and/or parents will be informed in writing whether a course is eligible for academic credit.

Information to Students and Parents or Guardians

    1. The district will use a variety of methods to provide information to parents/guardians and students regarding online learning opportunities.
    2. Information will be provided through the district Web page, counseling office brochures, newsletters, the student handbook, and other appropriate district communication resources.
    3. Information provided will include descriptions of online courses, enrollment information, potential fees, a description of credit awarded for courses, student eligibility requirements, and methods the district will use to support student success.

Criteria for District Use of Non-OSPI Online Courses

    1. The district may offer courses to students from providers not on the OSPI approved list only after ensuring that they meet the criteria for district use of nonapproved courses as posted on the OSPI website.
    2. The district will ensure proper documentation when using online courses not on the OSPI approved list.

Student Responsibilities

    1. Adhere to the district’s codes of conduct for academic integrity, behavior, computer, and internet Acceptable Use Policy. (LWSD Policy JF - Student Rights and Responsibilities), (LWSD Policy JFC - Student Conduct), (LWSD AUP)
    2. Comply with course participation and completion requirements.
    3. Notify the district if participation in an online course ceases or changes.
    4. Maintain agreed-upon levels and kinds of communication with the local advisor throughout the term of the online course.
    5. Participate in an online course orientation.

Parent or Guardian Responsibilities

    1. Parents or guardians are responsible for costs/fees as outlined in Section F.
    2. Parents or guardians are responsible for seeking appropriate technology – per district recommendations – for student participation in coursework outside of the school day or designated online learning period.

District Responsibilities:

    1. Inform parents/guardians prior to student enrollment in any online course.
    2. Inform staff, parents/guardians, and students of the online courses that are available to them.
    3. Inform staff, parents/guardians, and students of the online course prerequisites, technology requirements, course outlines, syllabi and possible fees.
    4. Inform staff, parents/guardians, and students of how to seek and access technology resources and technological requirements beyond the school day.
    5. Provide online students with an online learning support team.
    6. Ensure communication between the student’s local advisor and parent/guardian.
    7. Ensure online courses are appropriately identified with CEDARS coding.
    8. Inform students and their parents/guardians of rescheduling options or grade impacts in the event a student withdraws from an online course prior to completion.
    9. Ensure compliance with LWSD Alternative Learning Experiences policy. (LWSD Policy IGBI/IGBI-R – Alternative Learning Experiences)
    10. Ensure online curriculum approximates the district curriculum as closely as possible.

Adopted:
08/23/10

Student raises hand while teacher talks to class