Southland College Prep Charter High School

Southland College Prep High School E-Learning Plan

Section 10-20.56(c) of the School Code requires an e-learning program contain “provisions designed to reasonably and practicably accomplish” certain goals. These goals and tasks are described below.

1. Ensure and verify at least 5 clock hours of instruction or school work for each student participating in an e-learning day.

1. Southland e-learning clock hours are based on the attendance data collected through a Google Form and the student workflow submitted through our learning management system Google Classroom.

2. The means to track student attendance and participation requires students to open a Google Form for each of their courses and submit the form. The data will be used for attendance purposes. Students will be required to “check in” to all classes by 11:00 am.

3. Teachers can use the data from the form submitted by the student and enter the attendance information in our student management system (SMS) PowerSchool. Teachers would have until 2:00 pm to submit their class attendance for the e-learning day, which is consistent with daily attendance submission on a regular school day.

4. Students who have limited or no internet connectivity at home who are provided a printed packet with similar content as the digital assignments must turn in this packet to the homeroom teacher the next day that school is in session. Teachers will mark the attendance for all students who turn in a completed packet. 

2. To ensure access from home or other appropriate remote facility for all students participating, including computers, the internet, and other forms of electronic communication that must be utilized in the proposed system.

1. Students in grades 11 and 12 have been using 1:1 mobile digital devices for the past five years. All students at Southland have utilized the Google Classroom as part of their normal instructional day.

2. Southland will provide a list of public locations that have free Internet access. Southland will apply to partner with the 1 Million Project Foundation to issue a mobile device with hot-spot capabilities to Southland students for the 20-21 school year. 

3. By utilizing Google Classroom, email, and our school website, our students are familiar with the digital environment and expectations associated with success in an e-learning environment.

4. Teachers have been issued their own school-issued device and passed a device proficiency course as an accountability measure to support students in a digital environment.

5. Students who have limited or no internet connectivity at home will be provided a printed packet with similar content as the digital assignments.

6. An E-Learning webpage will post all links for the digital content by grade level and printed packets will be available for download by 9:00a.m. on E-Learning school days.

3. To ensure appropriate learning opportunities for students with special needs.

1. Students with special needs receive their assignments either through Google Classroom or via a printed packet aligned with each student’s IEP goals.

2. Students are reminded by the teachers about the process and expectations.

3. Information about the process and expectations is mailed home in advance.

4. Students also have access to their case managers via email, Google Classroom, and other digital communication platforms to report any issues or to request additional support.

5. Student attendance and accountability is recorded by the agreed upon process established by the teacher and parent. This can be a voicemail, email, or other communication acceptable to fulfill the attendance requirement.

6. Parents of students with medical needs or questions can contact the school nurse via email. The school nurse may call parents of students with medical conditions as needed.

4. To monitor and verify each student’s electronic participation (and academic engagement).

1. Student activity, attendance, time on task, and submission of work is tracked by the data analytics and usage reports housed in Google Classroom, and the attendance platform, Google Forms.

2. Teachers will contact each parent/guardian or student via phone, email, or Google Classroom during the e-learning school day to ensure engagement.

3. Students who have limited or no internet connectivity at home who are provided a printed packet with similar content as the digital assignments must turn in this packet to the homeroom teacher the next day that school is in session. Teachers will mark the attendance for all students who turn in a completed packet.

5. To address the extent to which student participation is within the student’s control as to the time, pace, and means of learning.

1. In the event of an e-learning day, teachers will have until 9:00 a.m. on the morning of the e-learning day to post their lesson/assignment. This agreement was reached in collaboration with Southland’s teachers and staff.

2. Students are required to “check in” by 11:00 a.m. on an e-learning day. This allows staff the ability to review the attendance before submitting on PowerSchool by 2:00p.m.

3. Students are provided the flexibility to complete the work for each course. Staff are asked to provide a three day grace period for students to submit work if any connectivity or other issues arise.

4. Students have access to online text and resources purchased by Southland in order to ensure the e-learning days provide the instructional support, rigor, and mirrors, the expectations of a normal instructional day.

5. Students who may be unable to access the on-line, digital content for the e-learning day will be given a paper packet.  Their attendance will be noted when the completed packet is returned.  Southland has 1:1 technology / devices for Juniors and Seniors.  Freshmen and sophomores do not have school-issued digital devices, however, based on the parent survey, the majority of students have access to a digital device from home.

6. To provide effective notice to students and their parents/guardians of the use of particular days for e-learning.

1. When e-learning days are announced, the same communication protocols announcing a “snow day” will be used. This includes automated calls, posted messages on the websites, the district mobile app, and news stations.

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3. To provide staff and students with adequate training for e-learning days’ participation.

4. Teachers with district issued devices have passed a proficiency course demonstrating they possess the knowledge to use such a device to support students in a digital environment.

5. Teachers have been provided Professional Development for the following: Google Classroom, PowerSchool, Pearson Realize, and any other digital platform needed during an e-learning day.

6. Teachers were provided Professional Development on how to convert lessons into e-learning lessons.

7. Tech coaches created step-by-step instructions to support items b and c stated above.

8. To ensure an opportunity for any collective bargaining negotiations with representatives of the school district’s employees that would be legally required.

1. The e-learning proposal and all of its components have been reviewed, discussed, and vetted, and approved by the school’s teachers and staff.

9. To review and revise the program as implemented to address difficulties confronted.

9. In order to efficiently manage and implement an e-learning day, the following actions will provide the information needed to review or revise the program:

   1. Student, parent, and staff surveys

   2. Administration surveys

   3. Attendance reports from e-learning days

   4. Google Classroom usage reports

10. All teachers and PEL support staff are furnished a Southland-owned laptop computer. Our student database is web-based and all have been able to access without any difficulty.  Teachers and PEL support staff have stated that electronic communication with students is not a barrier to implementing e-Learning.

10. Ensure that the protocol regarding general expectations and responsibilities of the program is communicated to teachers, staff, and students at least 30 days prior to utilizing an e-learning day.

1. Communication, ongoing Professional Development, and e-learning expectations are provided during several Early Dismissal Wednesdays of each month during the first semester of the school year.