343.7 - VIRTUAL/ONLINE COURSES
Any high school student in the School District of Auburndale may apply for enrolling in a virtual/online course in accordance with state law requirements and established procedures. The online program provides eligible students an opportunity to take courses online while in high school. Students interested in participating shall inform the District of their intention to take online courses, prior to enrollment in the course(s) and within designated timelines.The Board shall determine whether a course taken through the virtual/online course program is comparable to a course offered in the District, whether it satisfies graduation requirements and what, if any, high school credits will be awarded to the student. The High School Guidance Counselor is the administrator of the virtual/online program in the District.
If approved, courses taken as part of the virtual/online program shall be paid for or not paid for as follows:
1. If the course is taken for high school credit and the course is not comparable to a course offered in the District, the Board shall pay the tuition and fees for the course.
2. If the student is taking a course for post secondary credit only or the course taken is comparable to a course offered in the District, the student shall pay the tuition and fees for the course.
3. The District shall pay for no more than the equivalent of 18 post secondary semester credits (4 1/2 high school credits) per student. The District shall not, however, limit the number of post secondary semester credits a student may take at his/her own expense.
4. The District will pay only for the courses that are successfully completed. If a student receives a failing grade in a course or fails to complete the course, the student’s parent/guardian or the student, if an adult, is responsible for reimbursing the District for payment of all fees paid by the District. If this reimbursement is not made, the student on whose behalf the payment was made is ineligible for any further participation in the virtual/online program.
5. Students taking such courses must be enrolled in the District and take the courses during the regular school day at the school site or may be approved for remote access by administration for special circumstances (e.g. continuation of instruction during an expulsion).
6. Students applying for permission to take an online accredited course or a virtual accredited course shall complete prerequisites and provide teacher/counselor recommendations to confirm the student possesses the maturity level needed to function effectively in an online learning environment.
7. The approval of the high school principal and School Board shall be obtained before the student enrolls in an online accredited course or a virtual accredited course. The school must receive an official record of mid-term, quarterly and final grade before credit toward graduation will be recognized.
8. If any approved class is not completed, the student shall be held responsible for costs of the entire class.
9. The Board shall pay the fee for expelled students who are permitted to take online accredited courses or virtual accredited courses in alternative settings.
The school will be responsible for providing appropriate monitoring of students taking online or virtual courses.
Adopted: June 15, 2005
Posted: 11/09/2007 08:10:44 am