“LOGGING IN” to Online Learning

What is a Virtual Academy (VA)?

Based on the effectiveness of online distance learning, a form of e-learning, schools are making increasing use of online courses to address a range of critical needs. Online courses provide an effective alternative for a host of school challenges:

• class scheduling conflicts
• highly-qualified teacher shortages
• expanded advanced placement and dual-credit course needs
• educational delivery method for homebound or alternative school students
• appropriate credit recovery courses that are always accessible
• interactive courses that address the needs of a diverse student population

The LSEBA Virtual Academy offers access to online high school courses for initial credit, credit recovery through the Alliance school districts, college credit (OCtech), exam preparation, adult education programs, and dual enrollment opportunities. Anywhere a student has a computer with an Internet connection, he/she can log in and learn.

The Virtual Academy environment offers amazing flexibility! Learners work at their own pace, guided by a self-selected pacing chart to keep them on track. High schools make provisions for students who do not have home computers by scheduling time for computer access at school. OCtech also provides free access to Virtual Academy students.

A system of two-way communication serves as a safety net for students who are unaccustomed to the demands of an online course. After a face-to-face orientation session with students, teachers, and parents; highly-qualified teachers post materials for student completion and communicate via chat, e-mail, and discussion boards to answer questions. Teachers regularly call students and parents to offer support and to strengthen the teacher-student relationship. Instructors also post virtual office hours so that students can call at convenient times or chat with their instructors online.

Regardless of a student’s geographic location, high-quality education is just a mouse click away!

Who is eligible to enroll in VA classes?

High School Students:

- Any full-time Alliance student with approval from the student’s parent/guardian and guidance counselor (or school principal).

- Any Alliance student currently enrolled in private school or who is home schooled. Participation may be arranged through the area school district.

- Any high school student outside the Alliance area, with approval from the student’s parent/ guardian and guidance counselor (or school principal). Participation questions should be directed to any Alliance school district; however, Orangeburg Consolidated School District 4 (803-534-8081) is currently processing requests.

- Students with unusual circumstances: scheduling conflicts, need for credit recovery or acceleration, etc.

Adult Education Students:

-Any OCtech Adult Education student who is following a diploma path. Students must seek approval from the Adult Education director.

College Students:

-Any OCtech student

-College students outside the Alliance who desire to take a course for college transfer, with the approval of their Dean. NOTE: Please ask your college or university registrar for a Transient Student Form.

What are the costs?

Costs:

High School Credit:

Alliance students: $ 225 per full credit course (1 unit); $125 per ½ credit course (1/2 unit). Credit Recovery students will pay as per district fee structure.

Lab sciences and AP courses: $300 per full credit course (1 unit).

Out-of-Alliance students: $325 per full credit course (1 unit); $175 per ½ credit course (1/2 unit).

Lab sciences and AP courses: $375 per full credit course (1 unit)

Adult Education Credit:

See Adult Education website for fees, call Orangeburg County Adult Education at 803-535-1321, or call 1-800-813-6519, Extension 1321.

College Credit:

Out-of-Alliance students: Online courses are open to high school junior and senior students and to college students. Fees are posted on the OCtech website.

Remediation and Test Preparation:

Alliance Students: Contact your high school guidance counselor or principal.

Out-of-Alliance Students: Contact OCtech Continuing Education at 803-535-1236 or call 1-800-813-6519, Extension 1236.

What is dual enrollment?

Dual enrollment courses are college courses that may be counted for both high school and college credit. One 3-hour college credit course can now be counted as 1 Carnegie Unit. Students may enroll in dual enrollment courses through their Alliance high school’s Triple C Program (College Credit Courses) for both onsite and online courses. Participation may be arranged through a student’s local high school at greatly reduced rates or even at no charge, depending on the high school’s level of participation in the program.

Other rising juniors and seniors may take OCtech courses for college credit by enrolling through the College. Courses are available face-to-face, online, or as a hybrid (classes meet once a week with the remainder of coursework completed online). However, if the course is to be used for dual enrollment in high school, the student must have the approval of his or her principal. In special circumstances, students other than juniors or seniors may be approved to take college courses with the permission of the College President. Fees are the same as for other Alliance college students.

Is financial aid available?

High School:

Yes. A limited number of scholarships exist for students with financial need.

Alliance students may apply for partial or full high school tuition waivers. To qualify for financial aid, students must have a recent approved Family Application for Meal Benefits on file. Applications are available in each school's main office. See your school guidance counselor for details regarding the availability of tuition assistance.

College:

College students should visit the Student Services office at OCtech for financial assistance.

Will there be test(s)?

Yes, each course has quizzes, projects, etc. to complete online or in a supervised physical location. There will also be a comprehensive final exam at the end of each course administered by the teacher or an administrator in a secure testing environment.

Will Virtual Academy grades appear on official transcripts?

Yes, online courses are accredited and subject to the same regulations as any high school or college course. Grades sent to the high schools will post to student transcripts at the end of the semester following completion of the course. (As online grades may not be included on high school report cards, please contact the course instructor for earlier grade notification.)

NOTE: Any high school student who enrolls in a full credit online course (1 unit) and does not complete all requirements for the course (including the final exam) within the allotted semester time frame (from date of enrollment), will receive an “I”. If the course is not completed six weeks after the semester of enrollment ends, the student will receive an “F”. This grade will be calculated into the student's grade point average.

Required Materials and Textbooks

Textbooks

Many online courses use textbooks as supplements to online content, while others require the use of a text in completing readings or assignments. Alliance students should consult with their high school principal or guidance counselor about textbooks. Out-of-Alliance students and Out-of-District students will be responsible for the purchase of their own textbooks and lab materials.

Lab Materials

Science courses offer laboratory opportunities to students in the form of both wet and dry labs.

Dry Labs

Some courses may require students to participate in dry labs, enabling students to complete exercises online or from home. Many of these dry labs require the use of household items such as paper, calculators, etc. Students are responsible for obtaining common items for use in dry labs.

In rare cases, dry labs will call for the use of items not readily available in the home. In such cases, the school district will provide said items.

A listing of materials is provided within each course. Students should review this listing at the start of the course.

Wet Labs

Some courses may also require the completion of wet labs. As wet labs often require the use of special materials, a supervised lab setting is required. Instructors will notify students of lab dates and locations.

Orientation:

Before the start of each in-take, students are required to attend a Virtual Academy Orientation, where VA teachers and staff will provide an introduction to the course materials and to online learning.PARENTS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.

Upon approval by district or site coordinators, students will be notified of the time and place of the next orientation session.

LSEBA Virtual Academy Drop Policy For High School Courses

1. If the VA student does not submit the expected number of assignment(s) within a period of eight (8) consecutive days, the students’ parent(s) will receive a telephone call and/or letter notifying them of the student’s unacceptable pace for submitting assignments. The instructor will inform the student and parent of the scheduled or revised deadline for submitting incomplete assignments.
2. If the student does not respond by submitting assignments within seven (7) days of the telephone call and/or letter, the Virtual Academy will assume that the student does not intend to remain in the course. The student will be administratively dropped from the course and all tuition fees will be forfeited.
3. The parents, school guidance counselor, and site coordinator will each receive a Final Grade report notifying them that the student has been administratively dropped from the course.
4. After official enrollment in an LSEBA Virtual Academy course, students will have a 15-day grace period in which they can drop the course without a grade being issued. If a student should drop a course during the first 5 days of the class, a full refund will be given. If a student should drop a course after the 5th day of the grace period, one-half of the tuition price will be refunded. A student removed from a course within the 15-day grace period, will receive a grade report classifying the drop as W (Withdrawn). However, if the student is dropped after the 15-day grace period, tuition fees will not be reimbursed. The student will receive a grade designation of W (Withdrawn). The grade is not calculated as a part of the student’s grade point average.

LSEBA Virtual Academy Hardware/Software Requirements

Windows XP Professional or Home Edition

Processor Speed – Intel Pentium III 500 MHz or faster

Memory – 256 MB or more

Virtual Memory – 128 MB or more

Sound Card – Microsoft compatible sound card and headset or speakers

Internet Connection – DSL or Cable Internet connection

Web Browser – Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6.0, Netscape 6.2 or 7.1

Other – Mouse, Keyboard

Browser Plug-Ins – Adobe Acrobat, Macromedia Flash, Microsoft Word 97, 2000, XP, or 2003

*Remember to disable any pop-up blocker software that may prevent courseware windows from appearing.