Student+Services+for+Online+Learning

= Student Services for Online Learning =

**Moderator:**

 * ====**Kelly Pochop, Racine Unified School District (WI):** Formerly served as the online learning facilitator (teacher role with quasi-administrative duties) for Madison Virtual Campus of Madison Metropolitan School District (2005-2010); currently serves as virtual learning administrator for Racine Unified School District, formally launching an embedded K-12 virtual learning initiative in fall 2011. Email: kelly.pochop@racine.k12.wi.us ====

**Panelists:**
> Email address: kfahje@waukesha.k12.wi.us > Email address: kneurure@kusd.edu
 * **Stacy Eslick, Madison Virtual Campus:** School Counselor with Madison School District (WI) for 11 years. Been involved with online learning in various roles during this time.
 * **Kris Fahje, School District of Waukesha:** School Counselor with Waukesha Public Schools (WI) for 24 years. 20 years at Waukesha South and 4 years with iQ Academy, developing their counseling and career development program for HS students grades 9-12.
 * **Kris Fahje, School District of Waukesha:** School Counselor with Waukesha Public Schools (WI) for 24 years. 20 years at Waukesha South and 4 years with iQ Academy, developing their counseling and career development program for HS students grades 9-12.
 * **Kim Gorman, Kenosha eSchool**
 * **Terri-Lynn Johnson, iQ Academy Wisconsin**
 * **Kathy Neururer, Kenosha Unified School District:** Special education teacher at Kenosha eSchool (WI). Previously taught at Tremper High School in Kenosha for a number of years teaching both self contained classes and inclusion classes in a number of different subject areas.
 * **Terri-Lynn Johnson, iQ Academy Wisconsin**
 * **Kathy Neururer, Kenosha Unified School District:** Special education teacher at Kenosha eSchool (WI). Previously taught at Tremper High School in Kenosha for a number of years teaching both self contained classes and inclusion classes in a number of different subject areas.
 * **Kathy Neururer, Kenosha Unified School District:** Special education teacher at Kenosha eSchool (WI). Previously taught at Tremper High School in Kenosha for a number of years teaching both self contained classes and inclusion classes in a number of different subject areas.

// Answering questions about online learning from parents and guardians can take significant staff resources. Making sure families are informed about how your online learning program works is important to the success of your program. Come and join our panel discussion led by experienced student services support staff who have faced these very issues. You’ll receive answers to your questions related to accreditation, socialization, college and career counseling, special education services, and many more topics. //

**Accreditation and Transferability of Credits** 

Is the school a state-approved public school, a state-approved charter school or a private school reviewed by an accrediting agency?

Which agency or agencies have accredited this school? Is this agency accepted in my state?

Where is the school in the accreditation or charter-renewal cycle right now?

What is the school willing to share about its compliance with chartering guidelines or accreditation standards?

Will this online school’s credits be accepted by my local school district if we choose to transfer?

Does the online school provide a written agreement that online credits are transferable?

Will this online school’s credits be accepted by the college, trade school or university my child is planning to attend?

If my child is planning to enter the military, will the online school’s diploma have the same credibility and acceptance as a traditional diploma?

**Support Services** 

Does the school offer a self-evaluation quiz before enrollment to determine my child’s level of readiness for online learning?

Are students informed of necessary technology skills before enrolling? If students need to improve their skills, does the school provide courses, tutorials or other opportunities to learn?

Does the school provide student orientation before the first academic course so that students know what is expected of them, how to use the online course software (the learning management system) and how to address any technical support issues?

Who do I contact for tech support? Is tech support available by phone or live chat? When is tech support available?

Does the school have guidance counselors for elementary, middle school and high school? If so, exactly what services do they provide? Are there counseling services available if my child needs someone to talk to about personal issues?

Is there a clear process in place for reporting problems in my child’s class with other students or the teacher(s)?

Is career or college counseling available for my child? Is tutoring available if my child needs extra help?

Is there a library available for my child to use? How will my child access the materials available? Is it completely online, or is there a physical location to visit?

At what point does the school intervene if there are problems with my child’s participation, such as failure to log in or complete work on time? How is the parent notified?

Does the school have an orientation program for parents? Does the school provide parent support groups?

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0000ff; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Will I have access to my child’s work and academic progress?

Does the school post requirements for any technology to be provided by the family (i.e. Internet access, bandwidth, hard-drive space, camera, speakers, etc.)?

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0000ff; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">What if I have a child with identified special needs (already on an IEP)? Does the school give clear instructions on how and to whom I should indicate my child’s need?

What if I suspect my child may need special services but he or she is not yet on an IEP? What is the process for identifying special needs?

How are special-education services, including services such as speech therapy or occupational therapy, provided for my child? Do students with special needs receive actual services, or are they simply assigned to a lower grade?

Are there speech and language specialists available?

Is there a gifted program my child can participate in, and how is my child’s eligibility for the gifted program determined? Who runs it? Is it a full-time position? Is the person specially trained in gifted education?

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0000ff; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">What happens if my child exhausts the curriculum for the school? For example, if a gifted freshman completes all the high school courses in two years, how would the school handle this?

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**Socialization** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> What social activities does the school provide?

Which activities will allow my child to learn social skills?

How does the school instruct students in social skills, online etiquette and cyber safety?

How much of the coursework allows my child to interact and collaborate with other students?

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0000ff; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Are there any schoolwide activities or celebrations my child can participate in, such as field trips, clubs, senior proms, graduation ceremonies?

Do school activities, such as field trips, take place virtually or face-to-face or both?

Are there online clubs, communities and chat rooms for students of different ages as part of the program? Who supervises them?

Does the school use social networks for students, and if so, is it a private and monitored environment?

Are there socializing opportunities for parents?

What opportunities can I provide for my child simply to play with other kids?

**Questions related to supplementary online options embedded in schools:**
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How many classes can I enroll in at one time?

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Why does my child have to complete the orientation? They are good with a computer; they shouldn’t have to do this. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Is there a teacher that my child can talk to if they need help in the subject? How can the teacher help them from so far away?

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How will taking an online course be balanced with everything else in their lives?


 * NOTES**

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