Virtual Learning in Adult Education Programs 2013-2014

1. Virtual Learningin Adult Education Programs2013-2014

2. SC Virtual School Program Guidelines 2013-2014 The following guidelines are mandated by the legislation that formed the SCVSP and must be adhered to by all schools participating with the SCVSP: • The SCVSP is a program; therefore, not authorized to issue diplomas – the diploma must be issued by the Sponsor. • The SCVSP legislation has recently been amended to lift the credit limitations placed on students. There are now no limits on the number of credits that a student may earn toward a high school diploma through the program.

3. SC Virtual School Program Guidelines 2013-2014 • Partnership between SCDE Offices of Adult Education and Virtual Learning that allows adult students to participate in the program: no age limit! • Adult education programs have been previously registered as Sponsors and assigned an administrative password. • Office of Virtual Learning sometimes refers adult students to local adult education programs https://scvspconnect.ed.sc.gov/

4. SC Virtual School Program Guidelines 2013-2014 • A Sponsor may not give approval to a student to retake a course through the SCVSP if a unit of credit for that particular course is already recorded on his or her official transcript.

5. SC Virtual School Program Guidelines 2013-2014 The student must furnish his or her own computer, or have access to one, and must have internet access in order to take the SCVSP courses, although the sponsor is not prohibited from providing these. An iPadcan be used; however, since an iPad does not run Flash content, there may be some instances where students will need to access content requiring Flash on another computer. While the courses are not “Flash intense”, the teacher of each course would be the best one to address the content and how much requires access to Flash. SCVSP suggests the student ask the question to the teacher of the course during the first few days.

6. Adult Ed SCVSP Students • Recommended score of 9.0 or better on TABE D or A • transcript shows an ability to benefit • must exhibit characteristics of a successful online learner • may transfer course credit BACK to high school • may finish a virtual course started in high school • may repeat a course if warranted • high school graduates may take single courses as needed (for acceptance into post-secondary programs)

7. SC Virtual School Program Guidelines 2013-2014 • Every credit-bearing course has a content-area certified teacher assigned to the course, including Credit Recovery courses. • Courses offered : https://scvspconnect.ed.sc.gov/index.php?q=current-course-offerings

8. Course Availability Three sessions for regular Carnegie units: Fall; Winter; Summer Year-long version recommended for courses with End of Course Exam (EOCE) SCVSP courses do have a maximum number of students per class, just like traditional school classes. Courses do fill up fast, so have students register as early as possible to insure that they will have a spot reserved.

9. Course Availability If courses are full, students will be placed on a wait-list. It is the student’s responsibility to log into their VSA account to see if they have made it into the course. Students will be added to courses as seats become available; they should check their VSA account daily during the first 2 weeks of classes to see if they have placed in the class.

10. Deadlines & Course Availability Dates & Deadlines Matrix: Use this tool to make sure students meet semester deadlines. This is also posted on the SCVSP website: http://scvspconnect.ed.sc.gov. Please check this document frequently as there may be changes. Missed dates will result in students not being able to begin the course until the following enrollment period. RECOMMENDATION: If you have a student that MAY need a course due to a course failure and deadlines are approaching– be proactive and register the student – then drop them later if the course is not needed.

11. Student Registration Process Students register through Virtual School Administrator (VSA). To enroll with the SCVSP, students should create an account in VSA. Student Registration Process: https://scvspconnect.ed.sc.gov/index.php?q=node/88 It is strongly recommendedby the SCVSP that the student—NOT the VLC—complete the account creation process.

12. Technology Assessment • After creating a student account and logging into VSA, the student must take the technology assessment prior to being approved for any courses. The purpose of the assessment is to determine if a student is ready to take an online class and has the skill set needed to handle the technology and working on his/her own. • The SCVSP does not deny any student admittance, but VLCs can if they think the student should not be placed in an online class. • Not all students are successful in online classes! • Students enter the VLC’s email address so the VLC will receive the score. Use the score as one tool to determine if a student should take an online course (a minimum of 70 is suggested; an 80 is recommended)– if you do not feel that a student is a good online learner, you should not approve the student. • Students only need to take the assessment one time – when they first enroll – they do not have to take it additional times.

13. Requesting Courses After completing the technology assessment and establishing student’s suitability for online learning, the student requests a course. Student enters parent/guardian information. Adult students may enter themselves as the guardian. Students secures sponsor approval. As soon as the student receives all of the required approvals, he will be enrolled in the course. CR students are enrolled the next Monday.

14. Credit Recovery Courses Credit recovery courses offered on a rolling enrollment basis. Students can enroll in a credit recovery course at any time throughout the year.  Students begin classes the Monday following their registration. Normal registration procedures remain the same. Teachers will send their contact information to students in VSA.

15. Student Expectations Communication: • Students are expected to keep in close contact with their instructors. Students are expected to communicate with instructors if there is an issue and work cannot be completed or if an extension is needed. Course Deadlines: • All courses have weekly or unit deadlines. Students are expected to follow the schedule and turn in assignments on time. • If deadlines are not met, student may be administratively dropped from a class. Students may work on their own and develop their own schedule, but must adhere to the course deadlines.

16. Drop Policy & Administrative Drop Drop Policy: • Adult Ed students have 20 days from the start date of the course to fill out a drop form and be dropped from a course without penalty (WNG). • After 20 days, the student will be dropped with a status of Withdrawn Failing (WF). Administrative Drop Policy: • Students are responsible for logging in and completing coursework on a regular basis. If during the first 20 days of a course a student falls behind, the teacher will drop the student with a status of Withdrawn No Grade (WNG). • After the first 20 days, students will receive warnings. If a student continues to be behind pace and unresponsive to calls or messages from his/her instructor, he/she will be dropped with a WF by the instructor.

17. Sponsor Guidelines . • Sponsors must arrange for students to take the EOCEP exam in any course that requires this type of test.The exam counts 20% of the student’s final grade. • All sponsors must ensure that the final examination for each initial credit course is conducted in a proctored environment. Proctored exam counts 20% of the student’s final grade. • Credit recovery (CR) courses are review courses. Students will have a cumulative test, but it is not taken in a proctored environment, as there are no final exams in CR courses. SCVSP issues a final CR grade, but schools determine the grade that goes on the student’s transcript according to district guidelines. • All sponsors must award the numeric grade and unit value to the student enrolled in a course through the SCVSP by recording them on the student’s transcript in his or her permanent record. • All sponsors must retain for a period of ten years the residency records of every student enrolled in the SCVSP.

18. Recording Attendance Hours • The SCVSP uses the Moodle Learning Management System to offer credit-bearing courses in a proficiency-based system. For this reason, the system DOES NOT record a student’s time-on-task in the course. • Since adult ed programs MUST record student attendance hours, SCVSP teachers have assigned minimum proxy hours spent on coursework according to the final grade received. • VLCs use these guidelines for reporting minimum proxy contact hours and then add other proxy hours as directed.

19. Virtual Learning Coordinator Main point of contact for all SCVSP issues • Works with intake person to provide advisement (i.e. Keyboarding before Computer Applications) • Student transcript shows an ability to benefit • Student must exhibit characteristics of a successful online learner • Registration & orientation of students: contract technology assessment https://scvspconnect.ed.sc.gov/index.php?q=technology-assessment SCVSP dates/deadlines https://scvspconnect.ed.sc.gov/sites/default/files/2013-14%20Dates%20and%20Deadlines%20Matrix%20Final%20SSL.pdf

20. Characteristics of Successful Online Learners • Discipline to complete projects by deadlines instead of waiting until the end of the semester • Motivation to read, write, and participate fully in class activities • Time to devote approximately 12 hours a week for a one credit course • Ability to work independently and in teams • Flexibility in dealing with technology problems • Self-starter; does not procrastinate • Able to learn from the printed word (Majority of material and communication happens through reading and writing) • Able to set aside specific times on a routine basis to ‘participate’ in the course • Asks questions when he/she does not understand • Access to a current computer and high-speed Internet • Good, basic computer skills • Time management skills

21. Virtual Learning Coordinator • Observation of student’s ability to navigate course, including initial registration and a successful start in the course • Monitor student progress; communicate with virtual teachers as needed; assist with withdrawal if needed; keep awareness of 20 day drop period • Trouble-shoot technology issues • Ensure final exams are proctored appropriately • Ensure grade report is downloaded, explanation added if WF and grade recorded on transcript • Reporting data as requested, including Distance Learning hours

22. How we did in 2012-2013* • 176 students attempted 48 different courses 330 times. • 330 course attempts: • 91 Withdrawn No Grade (WNG) • 181 courses completed • 58 courses in progress Courses completed successfully Courses completed failing Withdrawn from course failing • WF receives grade of 61 on transcript *As of August 1, 2013, with summer classes still in session.

23. How We Did in 2012-2013 23 programs offered credit-bearing courses Grades: A= 27; B=47; C=48; D=22; F=16 Average age: 22 Oldest successful student: 53 years old More female students than male Ethnicity of majority of students is African-American or White Most attempted courses: Statistics CP, English 4, English 4 CR, and Algebra 2 CP 157 students enrolled in HSAP course

24. USA Test Prep • HSAP English Language Arts and Mathematics Reviews are available • does not require TABE Reading score of 9.0 • computer-assisted instruction only; no teacher assigned • new students can register at any time; students added every Tuesday

25. SHMOOP ACT, SAT, PSAT Test Preparation Reviews The South Carolina Virtual School Program (SCVSP) is excited to offer Advanced Placement exam reviews FREE OF CHARGE to all South Carolina students for the 2011-12 school year.

26. To gain access to the test reviews, students will need to follow the steps listed below: • Go to the SCVSP’s web site at http://scvspconnect.ed.sc.gov/ • Click on the Course Information tab

27. • Click on Test Preparation

28. • Follow the Starter Guide to Getting Your Shmoop On - 3 easy steps. Since the reviews are for practice only, students may register at any time, without parent/guardian or sponsor approvals.

29. Contact SCVSP for more information concerning:  • Login Issues: • Credit-bearing courses: please contact the course teacherfirst. If you cannot reach the teacher, visit the Help Center on the website https://scvspconnect.ed.sc.govMonday-Friday, • 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. • HSAP course: contact Vickie Williams, vwilliams@ed.sc.gov , 803-734-0016 • Accessing information in the classroom: Contact the course teacher. • All other student issues:  Please contact the course teacher first. If he/she cannot resolve the problem, contact Student Services.

30. SCVSP Contacts Tiffany Holman – Student Services Coordinator (Student's last name begins with L-Z) 803-734-8039 or tholman@ed.sc.gov • Courtney Howard – Student Services Coordinator (Student's last name begins with A-K) 803-734-8039 or cfhoward@ed.sc.gov SCVSP Staff includes: Suzette Lee – SCVSP Team Leader - slee@ed.sc.gov Tracy Sanders – Blended Learning Coordinator - tsanders@ed.sc.gov Deirdre Edwards – Curriculum Coordinator – dredward@ed.sc.gov

31. Content Recovery in SC High School Diploma Programs Content Recovery courses –Individual districts set specific guidelines using SCDE Division of Standards and Learning : Credit Recovery - A Guidance Document for Service Delivery (12/08) Districts should provide “certified, content-specific” instructors

32. Content Recovery in SC High School Diploma Programs Recommended Online and Credit Recovery Courses document (6/10) gives some guidance on curricula aligned to SC’s academic standards NCAA has specific guidelines for Software-based Credit Recovery and Online Courses; SCVSP CR courses are NOT approved courses Information on a high school’s NCAA denied courses found on the NCAA web-site

33. Using Online Curricula for Carnegie Units in Adult Ed Adult ed programs can offer credit-bearing courses using the same online curricula their local high schools use. Examples: Nova Net; Apex; PLATO Courses must be monitored by instructors certified in the content areas of the offered courses and employed by the adult ed program Off-site hours spent working online can be counted as distance learning if the curricula features time-on-task

34. Proficiency-Based Courses in Adult Ed • An adult edprogram can offer proficiency-based courses if their district has an SCDE approval to do so. Examples: Nova Net; Apex; PLATO • Courses must be monitored by instructors certified in the content areas of the offered courses and employed by the adult edprogram. • Off-site hours spent working online can be counted as distance learning if the curricula features time-on-task.

35. Questions? Terry Phillips, Education Associate SCDE Office of Adult Education tfphillips@ed.sc.gov 803-734-8080