Student Success Through Virtual Learning Statewide Seat Time Waiver Genesee Intermediate School District January 2011

Invitation to Michigan Schools 2007 “In an effort to expand opportunities for Michigan high school students, Superintendent Flanagan has invited schools and school districts to seek waivers from the Administrative Rules and Pupil Accounting Rules that cause barriers to innovation and student academic success.”

What is a seat time waiver?

Students to be Served: but not limited to Attendance issues Social/emotional issues High interest/low enrollment Accelerated learning Medical situations Pregnant/parenting teens Students on the move Working students

Offer quality education for all students Support students toward high school completion Provide and develop skills in preparation for –Post secondary options –Workforce Reduce dropout Reduce dropout Benefits to Students

Approval for:   school year   Up to 25% of enrolled high school students/district (9-12)   Not to exceed 10% enrolled High School students in each ISD Region collectively   Middle School students who have been expelled are eligible   Approved by school principal or designee   Participating student list submitted to ISD per normal auditing processes   Student participants sent to GISD TMS department

Online coursework delivered through instructor led courses registered through GenNET portal Students required to take approved secondary credit assessment at conclusion of each Michigan Merit Curriculum core course Students must be assigned a certified mentor teacher Mentors must have documented contact during count week (1x/wk min /f2f/phone) A student who qualifies for a free or reduced lunch and is taking more than 4 courses must be provided a computer with internet access. If student does not require this, then must be documented that the student declines. Annual report must be submitted to MDE via GISD with input from students, teachers and parents District requires no additional funding for support of STW student Approval Conditions

Evaluation The program will be evaluated based on but not limited to: –Participation rates –Completion rates –Graduation rates –Satisfaction surveys –Transition back into traditional programming –Demographics –Grades and test scores

Understanding what it means…

Purpose of a Waiver Expand opportunities for Genesee County students Increase student enrollment Improve student outcomes

Definition of 100% Full Time Online Student A pupil is considered a full-time student if the combined number of classes that the pupil is enrolled in equals the number of classes scheduled for a full-time pupil at the local district high school. This could be a combination of traditional, virtual, or dual-enrolled classes. Michigan Department of Education

100% Online: Qualifies for Waiver

66% Online: Qualifies for Waiver

50% Online: Qualifies for Waiver

What makes this unique?

MAISA Summer Conference 2009 Presentation given Superintendent Flanagan extended the Seat Time Waiver to all Michigan School Districts through their Intermediate School District in partnership with GISD – –Follow rules/regs established by GenNET – –Follow GISD processes for STW

57 out of 57 ISDs

516 out of 531 districts 14 charters

Registration Process

The LEA Will: Enroll STW pupils - Following STW Guidance Complete enrollment forms Complete the Pupil Accounting Forms (2) –List of Enrolled Pupils –Mentor Instructional Time Form (one per pupil) Send to the appropriate STW contact at ISD Send to the P.A. auditor with pupil count documentation

Application Process Step 1 (Student) Step 2 (Counselor) Step 3 (Counselor) Application Form Essay Questions Online Course Readiness SurveyOnline Course Readiness Survey Application Form Essay Questions Online Course Readiness SurveyOnline Course Readiness Survey Seek pre- approval from principal to move forward with Seat Time Waiver process Information & Approval FormInformation & Approval Form Identify mentor Graduation Plan WorksheetGraduation Plan Worksheet Determine courses Recommendation Form (Optional)Recommendation Form Information & Approval FormInformation & Approval Form Identify mentor Graduation Plan WorksheetGraduation Plan Worksheet Determine courses Recommendation Form (Optional)Recommendation Form

Application Process (cont.) Step 4 (Principal/ Counselor) Step 5 (Counselor) Step 6 (Student/District) Meet w/Parents to discuss status (if necessary) Complete Seat Time Waiver Student ContractComplete Seat Time Waiver Student Contract Final approval Meet w/Parents to discuss status (if necessary) Complete Seat Time Waiver Student ContractComplete Seat Time Waiver Student Contract Final approval Complete appropriate pupil accounting forms Notify GenNET OfficeNotify GenNET Office Complete appropriate pupil accounting forms Notify GenNET OfficeNotify GenNET Office Student will be asked to complete course evaluation District will be asked to complete program evaluation Student will be asked to complete course evaluation District will be asked to complete program evaluation

Full Online Curriculum Available

900+ choices ( General Ed, AP, Credit Recovery) Aligned to MMC Taught by Highly Qualified Teachers Affordable Online Web-based Courses

2 nd Semester Enrollments For students already enrolled in STW program, include only the following information when adding courses for 2 nd Semester: –Updated List of Enrolled Pupils –Updated Mentor Instructional Time Form which reflects the February 9th count day

Seat Time Waivers It’s all about the FTE “Count day”

Pupil Accounting Rules Waived

Administrative Rules/Pupil Accounting Manual Reference Section R –Administrative Rules Section R –Administrative Rules Section 5O-2(3) of the MDE Pupil Accounting Manual Section 5O-2(3) of the MDE Pupil Accounting Manual –“The pupil must be concurrently enrolled and attending at least one course offered by the district in which credit is earned and regular daily attendance is required.” –“The pupil must be in attendance on the count day or during the 10/30 day rule period during the class time designated for the course on the pupil’s class schedule.” –“This type of virtual learning course is limited to two per semester per pupil.” Waiver A waiver of these rules will allow selected pupils to access classes without the in-school seat time requirement. Self- scheduled classes are not limited to two per semester. The pupil does not need to be present in the school on count day. Weekly contact by a mentor teacher will provide assistance and monitor progress. Virtual Learning Courses

Administrative Rules/Pupil Accounting Manual Reference Section 5N-5 of the MDE Pupil Accounting Manual –“A pupil provided a minimum of two nonconsecutive hours per week of individualized instruction, who was suspended or expelled under local school board policy, is a pro–rated FTE with the pro-ration based on the number of hours of instruction…” Waiver A waiver of this rule will allow this population access to curriculum and offer districts opportunity to continue the education of the student by keeping on track for graduation. Weekly contact with a mentor teacher will provide assistance and monitor progress. The 2 hours contact per week is waived. STW students will only be considered for a full time FTE if they take the same number of courses as that which is considered full time in their local district high school. Expelled/Suspended Students

Administrative Rules/Pupil Accounting Manual Reference School Aid Act – Section R –Administrative Rules School Aid Act – Section R –Administrative Rules Section 5GA-3 of the MDE Pupil Accounting Manual Section 5GA-3 of the MDE Pupil Accounting Manual –“The pupil is enrolled and attending at least one high school course.” Waiver A waiver of this rule will allow increased flexibility in scheduling for selected pupils who wish to enroll exclusively in post- secondary classes, or combine with virtual, or work-based experiences. An online course or a work-based experience may count as the “one high school course” as long as the student has not completed graduation requirements. Post Secondary Option

Administrative Rules/Pupil Accounting Manual Reference Section R –Administrative Rules Section R –Administrative Rules Section 5P-7(1) of the MDE Pupil Accounting Manual Section 5P-7(1) of the MDE Pupil Accounting Manual –“The work-based learning experience shall not generate more than one- half of the pupil’s FTE, not to exceed.5.” Waiver A waiver of this rule will allow a more flexible scheduling of selected pupils to enroll in individualized work-based learning experiences or a combination of work-based learning, post-secondary classes, and virtual learning experiences. Students may combine a variety of off-site learning experiences such as online, non-CTE work-based, and postsecondary to equal a full time schedule of courses. All other work-based rules are still in effect. Work-Based Learning Experience

Pupil Accounting Practices

MDE Pupil Accounting Manual Section 5-O-B SEAT TIME WAIVER Revised August 2010

HOW DO I REPORT A STW STUDENT IN MSDS? Report all STW students with a Program Participation Characteristic in alternative education (9220) in your student data system. (MSDS) Report the STW students in the building they receive their education. i.e. regular high school or an alternative high school Record all schools, or other entities in which these students are “housed” for reporting purposes as having an alternative education program in the EEM.

NEW FOR 2010 – 2011 MSDS A new participation code added to identify Seat Time Waiver Students (9229). STW students will display on the alpha list with **.

B. Requirements for Counting Membership 1. Must meet pupil membership eligibility requirements. (Section 3 of PAM) (Section 3 of PAM) 2. Pupil shall be enrolled and attending on the count date: a.Class Schedule for entire year b.Pupil logging into at least 1 program-sponsored on-line course on each count day.

B. Requirements for Counting Membership 3. Pupil FTE will be measured by pupil logging into at least one program-sponsored online course on each count day and for 19 additional calendar days during the 30-day calendar day count period. Log-in records must be maintained by the district.

B. Requirements for Counting Membership 4. Each course shall count as one class on the pupil’s schedule and generate that portion of an FTE Teacher of record must be identified On-site mentor must be assigned. – –Must meet or contact the pupil weekly – –Certified MI teacher employed by the district

Pupil Accounting Forms List of Enrolled Pupils Mentor Instructional Time Form

–Pupil Membership eligibility –Enrollment status –Student schedules –Residency –Student log-in (20 days) –Mentor Contact –Teacher of Record Pupil Accounting Documentation

From the List of Enrolled Pupils Form From the List of Enrolled Pupils Form –FTE must be calculated correctly 1.0 FTE - Do the number of classes taken equal the number needed at the high school for a full FTE? Prorated FTE - number of classes taken are equal to a less than full time student Student must log-in 20 days during the 30-day count period.

FTE Adjustments Pupil does not meet membership eligibility. Student not enrolled in classes by count day FTE is not calculated correctly No weekly interactive contact by the mentor teacher Student does not log-in for 20 days

Seat Time Waiver Statewide Participating Districts ( including Genesee County Schools) 5,719

Online Participation Summary Statewide (Regular & STW Students) 319% Increase from to

Lessons Learned Improve Marketing Plan –Increase Board of Education presentations –Increase direct marketing to parents –Service clubs –District newsletters (create article templates) Expand staff development for administrators and staff Expand secure communication opportunities ( i.e. Blackboard discussions/forums, chat, social networking ) for: –Students –Mentors –Principals –Counselors –Parents Expand use of emerging technologies (i.e. iPods)

Student Testimonials “ My mentor helped me by always checking to see how I was doing… I was surprised by how much you learn when you take a class independently.” - High School Student (AP Art History, Aventa) “ This has been a beneficial experience that has forced me to practice self-discipline.” - High School Student (Psychology, Keystone) “Overall, I quite enjoyed it. It's a great program. Traditional school is not for everyone, and it's wonderful that there's finally another option.”

High School Principal Testimonials “I was pleased at how great the people running it from the GISD were in assisting us in making it a success. It was great to talk to a real human being when necessary and not leave a voice mail!” “STW allowed one pregnant senior to complete her diploma on time. We also had other students who were able to participate in extra-curricular activities that would not otherwise have been possible as a home school student in rural Michigan.” “The program offered the opportunity for some of our students to graduate with their peers while maximizing their strengths through the use of technology. STW gave some of them hope for a future. STW allowed our students to stay on track while they worked on personal issues, suspensions or illness.”

Parent Testimonials “It was a wonderful opportunity for my daughter. It helped her to remove the distraction that she found in a traditional High School environment and just focus on her education. The fact that my son can complete the program on his own time table puts the responsibility on him and offers greater opportunities to succeed. The traditional learning style did not seem to work for my son, but the online learning seemed to work. We are planning on pursuing the STW for all of our children throughout their high school careers.

High School Mentor-Teacher Testimonials “One of my students is dealing with cancer. She is unable to be around other people while she undergoes months of chemo/radiation. The STW opportunity has allowed her the ability to keep right up with her class in school where, hopefully, she'll return in the fall.” I had a student that was pregnant that is doing an amazing job in STW. Her boyfriend is a dropout and she would have done the same if not for this program. STW is going to be life changing for her. STW provide opportunity to students that would have fallen behind or dropped out...without STW, these students would not have had the opportunity to find success in our district.

STW Information Site Go to Choose Quick Links (View All), then Seat Time Waiver

Questions? Beverly Knox-Pipes, Assistant Superintendent Technology and Media Services (810) Debra Hartman, Business Services Administrator (810)