DBS CODE: 6172.6 DBS CODE: 6172.6INSTRUCTION
Distance Education
Virtual/Online Courses
The Board of Education believes that distance education through virtual/online courses is an effective means of instruction for students. A virtual school is hereby defined as an educational organization that offers courses at various grade levels through Internet or Web-based methods. These schools can offer courses to enhance, supplement or enrich the existing curriculum and can also provide an alternative means of instruction. Interactive distance learning does not require the student to be physically present in the same location as the instructor or other students.
Virtual/online courses will be part of this District's educational program delivery system to increase accessibility and flexibility in the delivery of instruction. In addition to regular classroom-based instruction, students in the District may earn credit through distance education provided by virtual/online courses.
In order to earn credits in meeting the requirements for high school graduation through the successful completion of on-line coursework, the Board, in compliance with C.G.S. 10-221a (17) shall ensure, at a minimum, that (a) the workload required by the on-line course is equivalent to that of a similar course taught in a traditional District classroom setting, (b) the content is rigorous and aligned with curriculum guidelines approved by the State Board of Education, where appropriate, (c) the course engages students and has interactive components, which may include, but are not limited to, required interactions between students and their teachers, participation in on-line demonstrations, discussion boards or virtual labs, (d) the program of instruction for such on-line coursework is planned, ongoing and systematic, and (e) the courses are (1) taught by teachers who are certified in the state or another state and have received training on teaching in an on-line environment, or (2) offered by institutions of higher education that are accredited by the Department of Higher Education or regionally accredited; or (3) toward meeting the high school graduation requirement upon the successful completion of the board examination series permitting students in grades 9 through 12 to substitute achievement of a passing score on a series of examinations approved by the State Board of Education for meeting credit requirements for graduation.
If the drop-out rate of the District is determined to be 8% or higher in the previous school year, the Board of Education shall establish an on-line credit recovery program for those students who are identified as being in danger of failing to graduate. These students, once identified by certified personnel, must be allowed to complete on-line District-approved coursework toward meeting high school graduation requirements. Each high school within the District shall designate, from among existing staff, an online learning coordinator to administer and coordinate the online credit recovery program.
The District will not use virtual/online courses as the sole medium for instruction in any required subject area for students in grades K-8 (except in the case of emergency long duration closings due to pandemic or other health related circumstances)
Dual instruction is allowed as part of remote learning when it is needed to implement a student's IEP or 504 plan or as part of an intra-district or inter-district cooperative learning program for students on school grounds during a regular school day.
Credit from an online or virtual course may be earned only in the following circumstances:
1. The course is not offered at the District's high school or cannot be offered that year due to scheduling or low enrollment.
2. The high school does offer the course, but the student is unable to take it due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict.
3. The course will serve as a supplement to extended homebound instruction.
4. The District has expelled the student from the regular school setting, but educational services are to be continued.
5. The Principal, with agreement from the student's teachers and parents/guardians, determines the student requires a differentiated or accelerated learning environment.
6. Unless there are special circumstances students taking such courses must be enrolled in the District and take the courses during the regular school day at the school site.
7. A student has failed a course and wishes to recover credits in that course area.
8. The student's PPT or Section 504 Team has determined it to be an appropriate means of instruction.
9. Extended emergency school closings.
As determined by Board/school policy, students applying for permission to take a virtual course will do the following:
• Complete prerequisites and provide teacher/counselor recommendations to confirm the student possesses the maturity level needed to function effectively in an online learning environment.
• Obtain the written approval of the Principal or his/her designee before said student enrolls in a virtual course.
• Adhere to the District code of conduct to include rules of behavior and consequences for violations.
• Adhere to attendance requirements of the District.
The school must receive an official record of the final grade before awarding credit toward graduation. Only approved courses shall be posted on student transcripts.
Any and all fees imposed on the learner are the sole responsibility of the learner and not the Board of Education or its designee.
Through its policies and/or supervision plan, the school shall be responsible for providing appropriate supervision, coordination, and monitoring of students taking virtual courses.
Students will have access to sufficient library media resources such as a "virtual library" available through the World Wide Web, laboratory facilities, technical assistance, and hands-on training and information. The Board of Education will not be responsible for providing internet access outside of school hours.
Approval of any course shall be based upon its compliance with Connecticut's academic standards and requirements, including but not limited to the course content and rigor, its length and scope, its method of assessing knowledge acquired by the student, the qualifications of the instructor and other appropriate factors.
On line course delivery must be from institutions accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges or Western Association of Schools and Colleges or, if the institution is foreign, recognized by the Connecticut State Department of Education as having appropriate academic standards.
(cf. 6141.321 - Computers: Acceptable Use of the Internet)
(cf. 6141.1 - Independent Study)
(cf. 6146 - Graduation Requirements)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-221 Boards of education to prescribe rules, policies and procedures.
Adopted: September 14, 2004
Revised: December 6, 2010
Revised: May 11, 2020
Revised: May 13, 2024