Revised%20po2370.01%2C%20Virtual%20School.pdf

Parent document: March 7, 2024 Regular Session-03-07-2024.pdf

Text

ACKSON

COUNTY SEHOOIS

Book Policy Manual

Section Ready for the Board

Title Copy of VIRTUAL SCHOOL
Code po2370.01

Status

Legal W.V. Code 18-5F-1
Adopted June 29, 2020

Last Revised June 3, 2021

2370.01 - VIRTUAL SCHOOL

Jackson County Schools’ Virtual School Policy establishes provisions for delivering virtual instruction to eligible students in a
traditional school environment or in an appropriate full-time or blended virtual environment. Virtual course opportunities will
be consistent with the West Virginia Board of Education’s academic standards, curriculum frameworks, and assessments.

Virtual courses will be delivered through the WV Virtual School and/or district-approved learning management systems. Any
online course delivery must be approved and supported by the West Virginia Department of Education and comply with
state and federal privacy laws.

Virtual School Courses for Full-time or Blended Learning

Jackson County Schools provides a full-time or blended learning virtual school program for students, in grades 6-12.
Grades K-5 Elementary Alternative Education students may participate via a blended learning virtual school program at the
discretion of the Superintendent.

The full-time virtual school program is completed online by the student outside the traditional school setting. This setting
may be used for homebound instruction (requires a medical statement from a physician for consideration), alternative
education settings, or in the case of special circumstances, as approved by the Superintendent, where regular attendance in
school is not possible.

A blended program means a formal education program in which a student learns: 1) at least in part through online learning,
with some element of student control over time, place, path or pace; 2) at least in part in a supervised setting outside the
home, and (3) in such a way that the modalities of each student’s learning path within a course or subject are connected to
provide an integrated learning experience.

Jackson County Schools reserves the right to set a capacity limit per semester for virtual enrollment. Applications must be
received five days prior to the beginning of the semester. The Superintendent may approve enrollment after the established
deadlines to accommodate student transfers into the district or other unusual circumstances.

In some cases, students enrolled in the traditional day program school level may take a virtual school course(s) under one
or more of the following circumstances:

A. A course is not offered in the student’s home school.

B. An unavoidable schedule conflict preventing the student from taking the traditional course.


C. The school administration, the student’s subject area teacher(s), and the student’s parents/guardians determine the
student requires a differentiated or accelerated learning environment.

D. The course may be considered, by the appropriate instructional director, as a supplement and/or replacement for
homebound instruction.

E. The course(s) may be used as an alternative to summer school instruction with the approval of the school
administration.

F. All virtual classes taken through Jackson County Schools shall be reflected on the student’s transcript and shall be
counted toward graduation requirements at the high school level.

G. An extension of the Jackson County Schools Alternative Education program.
H. Continuation of education during a period of expulsion by the Board of Education.

I. In the event that any other specific condition(s) may warrant the use of virtual courses for the student, the school
administration may request approval for such a course from the appropriate instructional director.

Student Eligibility and Requirements
Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to participate in the virtual education program:

A. Enrolled in Jackson County Schools as a full-time student with a course load consistent with the grade level of the
school in his/her school attendance zone.

B. Parents and students must successfully complete a district-defined virtual education orientation course, and must
sign the Acceptable Use Policy Agreement.

C. Students may be required to complete training and/or orientation sessions as required by WV Board of Education or
Jackson County Schools. This training may be provided, at the discretion of Jackson County Schools, either in an
online or face-to-face format.

D. Meet school system and/or state enrollment requirements, including health requirements, such as, but not limited
to, required immunizations, Health Check, and dental exams.

E. Meet school system and/or state requirements for the courses in question, including successful completion of any
prerequisite courses.

F. Have access to reliable , daily internet service.

G. Respond to school system communication(s) within twenty-four (24) hours Monday through Friday. Communications
will be through the WVDE Office 365 account.

Student Responsibility

West Virginia Virtual School courses are offered in two, half-credit sections. To receive a full credit in a virtual course for a
subject area class, both sections of the course must be completed. Coursework for the first section must be completed
during the first semester, and the second half-credit section must be completed during the second semester to receive a full
credit for the course. Upon written request of the student, an extension of coursework beyond the semester is subject to
the approval of the Director of Secondary Education and/or the course provider.

Students should spend the first days in a course making sure they are comfortable with the technology of online learning
and that they can master content. Students are responsible for the safe keeping of the technology device assigned to them
for use in the virtual school program. Students are responsible for maintaining reliable, daily access to the internet.
Computer/internet problems will not be accepted as reasons for delays in meeting deadlines. Only through continuous
communication and consistent work can students be successful in an online course. It is essential that students maintain
regular contact with their instructor and submit assignments on time. Students must let the administrator for virtual school
know immediately if they need courses on the NCAA approval list.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities
Parents/Guardians play a vital role in their child’s education. Parents/guardians need to ensure there is access to reliable

internet services within their residence. Parents/guardians are financially responsible for the technology device assigned to
their child for use in the virtual school program. Parents/guardians need to regularly monitor their child’s progress and


grades on virtual courses. Parents/guardians need to provide support and encouragement as students are working on their
online courses. It is important for parents/guardians to provide structure and guidance to help their child successfully
complete the course work. Parents/guardians need to be a liaison between the students and the teacher as needed.

Attendance

Any student participating in the virtual education option will be considered as being in attendance if the student is
successfully progressing in virtual coursework in a manner that will allow the student to graduate with his/her four-year
cohort. To receive an eligibility form for a driver’s license, students must be progressing successfully in the coursework and
communicating with staff as directed.

The Superintendent or his/her designee is authorized to develop alternate attendance policies for virtual courses, provided
that students in such programs are given notice of the attendance requirements. A student’s failure to comply with such
requirements may result in administrative action including, but not limited to, probation or removal from the class or a
charge of truancy, if appropriate.

All full-time virtual students will be enrolled as a student in the school zone in which they reside. These students will be
counted in the average daily membership. All full-time virtual students will participate in state testing and accountability
requirements. All full-time virtual students must meet all state and county graduation requirements including a minimum of
28 credits. Upon satisfying all graduation requirements, students enrolled in the virtual pathway will receive a diploma from
Jackson County Schools.

Student Support

Individual Education Plan (IEP) committees will meet to determine the most reasonable accommodations/modifications
appropriate for each eligible student with a disability.

Documentation required by the virtual school course provider will be submitted by the Director of Special Education or
assigned designee to ensure the provision of allowable accommodations.

English Learners (EL) and Section 504 committees will determine the most reasonable accommodations for each eligible
student.

Documentation required by the virtual school course provider will be submitted by the principal or his/her assigned designee
to ensure provision of allowable accommodations.

Counseling and Guidance Services
Jackson County Schools will utilize personnel to meet the academic, career, and social needs of students as they arise. In
conjunction with school counselors, students will be assigned with developing an educational plan based on transcripts,
standardized assessments, career interests, and other pertinent data. The plan will be reviewed periodically to assess its
appropriateness and progress toward completion.
Co-curricular and Extracurricular Activities
Students enrolled as a full-time student in the virtual pathway are eligible to participate in, or try out for, the co-curricular
and extracurricular activities offered in the school in which they are enrolled according to the attendance zone. Students
must meet the same extracurricular activity eligibility requirements as students enrolled in the traditional day program
including any applicable requirements of the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission (WVSSAC). Student
residency for purposes of participating in extracurricular activities will be determined in accordance with Jackson County
School Attendance Zones and WVSSAC policies.
Removal from Virtual Schools
Students may be transitioned back to a traditional day program or returned to homeschool for the following reasons:

A. Progression through the coursework falls below the minimum comparable traditional course standard.

B. Academic dishonesty, falsifying information or plagiarizing.

C. Failure to maintain communication as directed.

D. Violations of school system policies, procedures, including rules governing the use of technology.