Students Need a LEG (Local Education Guide) to Stand On for a Successful Online Learning Experience Dawn Nordine, Director of Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS) Nancy Kind, WVS Program Assistant

Today’s Topics: Wisconsin Virtual School a.k.a. Wisconsin Web AcademyWisconsin Virtual School a.k.a. Wisconsin Web Academy Local Education Guides: Critical to Student SuccessLocal Education Guides: Critical to Student Success Successful Strategies Supporting and Motivating StudentsSuccessful Strategies Supporting and Motivating Students LEG Training and ResourcesLEG Training and Resources

Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS) WVS is an online learning resource for Wisconsin schoolsWVS is an online learning resource for Wisconsin schools WVS is a state-led supplemental online programWVS is a state-led supplemental online program WVS is Wisconsin’s Web Academy (WWA), a partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) #9WVS is Wisconsin’s Web Academy (WWA), a partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) #9 WVS provides core content, electives, and advanced placement online classes taught by Wisconsin certified teachersWVS provides core content, electives, and advanced placement online classes taught by Wisconsin certified teachers WVS is managed by (CESA) 9WVS is managed by (CESA) 9

WVS is beginning its 9th year of operation out of CESA 9.WVS is beginning its 9th year of operation out of CESA 9. WVS offers over 70 high school online courses, 20 Advanced Placement courses, middle school courses, a variety of foreign languages, ACT/SAT Test Prep courses, High School Credit Recovery, and two Aviation courses.WVS offers over 70 high school online courses, 20 Advanced Placement courses, middle school courses, a variety of foreign languages, ACT/SAT Test Prep courses, High School Credit Recovery, and two Aviation courses. Two-thirds of Wisconsin school districts have participated in WVS.Two-thirds of Wisconsin school districts have participated in WVS. Over 8,000 students over the past 8 years have had WVS online opportunities.Over 8,000 students over the past 8 years have had WVS online opportunities.

For the school year WVS had nearly 1,700 enrollments.For the school year WVS had nearly 1,700 enrollments. About 300 students took online AP courses during our fourth year of offering at WVS.About 300 students took online AP courses during our fourth year of offering at WVS. WVS completion rates range between 65-80% based on course type and student motivation.WVS completion rates range between 65-80% based on course type and student motivation.

Student Statistics WVS student population represents 60% rural districts and 40% urban districtsWVS student population represents 60% rural districts and 40% urban districts 62% females and 38% males62% females and 38% males 167 schools accessed courses through WVS this past year.167 schools accessed courses through WVS this past year. The top reason students take online courses is because the course is NOT offered in their school.The top reason students take online courses is because the course is NOT offered in their school. Overall completion rate for fall 2007 was 67% for all courses.Overall completion rate for fall 2007 was 67% for all courses. The average grade for fall 2007 was 87%.The average grade for fall 2007 was 87%. The average time spent in the course is 100 days.The average time spent in the course is 100 days. The number of hours spent per week in the course is 5- 6 hours.The number of hours spent per week in the course is 5- 6 hours.

Students who participate: ExpelledExpelled College BoundCollege Bound Credit DeficientCredit Deficient Schedule ConflictsSchedule Conflicts At RiskAt Risk Special NeedsSpecial Needs Home BoundHome Bound Home SchooledHome Schooled Summer SchoolSummer School Gifted or AdvancedGifted or Advanced

You Need a LEG to Stand On

What is a LEG? (Local Education Guide) An individual who gives support to students in the district who are taking online courses through WVSAn individual who gives support to students in the district who are taking online courses through WVS An individual who the WVS teacher can communicate with about the student and their progress or concernsAn individual who the WVS teacher can communicate with about the student and their progress or concerns

Importance of the LEG Critical to the success of most students in an online environment to have someone monitoring their progress, locally.Critical to the success of most students in an online environment to have someone monitoring their progress, locally. Student contact and encouragement are the most important responsibilities of a LEG.Student contact and encouragement are the most important responsibilities of a LEG.

Who can/should be a LEG? Anyone at your school district that would be willing to help support the online student’s needs can be a LEG.Anyone at your school district that would be willing to help support the online student’s needs can be a LEG. It is up to the school district to decide who and what approach will work best for its students’ needs.It is up to the school district to decide who and what approach will work best for its students’ needs.

Remember students are still students whether in the classroom or online…...

WVS Case Studies Nine school districtsNine school districts −3 year period – 6 terms −Completion rates between % on average (85% average completion rate) −Variety and number of courses (over 1000 courses of all types) −Average grade – 86%

Best Practices: LEG Survey From the promising practice schools each LEG was asked to complete an online survey. Here’s what they shared with us……….

Types of Positions LEGs Hold School-to-Work CoordinatorSchool-to-Work Coordinator Youth Apprenticeship CoordinatorYouth Apprenticeship Coordinator Virtual High School CoordinatorVirtual High School Coordinator School CounselorSchool Counselor Alternative Education CoordinatorAlternative Education Coordinator Distance Learning Lab LEGDistance Learning Lab LEG Learning Options CoordinatorLearning Options Coordinator

LEG Demographics Number of years as LEG: 75% have 3-4 years or moreNumber of years as LEG: 75% have 3-4 years or more Time spent weekly supporting and monitoring: 1-2 hours (11%), 2-3 hours (33%), 4 or more hours (57%)Time spent weekly supporting and monitoring: 1-2 hours (11%), 2-3 hours (33%), 4 or more hours (57%) Time spent per student per week: 5-10 minutes (11%), minutes (33%), minutes (33%), more than 30 minutes per student per week (22%)Time spent per student per week: 5-10 minutes (11%), minutes (33%), minutes (33%), more than 30 minutes per student per week (22%)

What are the most successful strategies LEGs use to keep students motivated to complete courses? "When I sit down with each student and go through their course introduction with them, I have a printed timeline of what they will need to do to complete their course on time. I check their progress at least twice a week to see if they are keeping up with their schedule. If they are not, I speak personally with the student, them, or call them, to let them know they are falling behind. This usually gets them motivated to get back on track."

Successful Strategies to Keep Students Motivated "I start by making sure that they are all aware of expectations, potential costs, and important deadlines associated with their course. I mail this information home to parents before the course begins and I present it to all on-line students in a group meeting prior to the start of the course. I use the automatic reports regularly to check student progress and I meet with students who are falling behind. I also call or parents if I am really concerned about a student's progress."

Successful Strategies to Keep Students Motivated "Most students that are doing online learning, it fits their needs and if they want to be able to do more courses and explore they must complete one course at a time.“ "Constant communication with the student and their parents.” “Detailed contracts, pace charts. Very frequent communication."

Successful Strategies to Keep Students Motivated “Individual meetings, reminders.“ “Contact, contact, contact with students, parents, course teachers and the good folks at Aventa, WVS, our local consortium, faculty friends helping out, my fellow counselors, etc.” “Rigorous selection process for enrichment students’ Goal Contracts at the beginning of each term and reevaluation at mid-term and two weeks before the end of the term I receive every from the teacher the student receives. Weekly printout of grades on Friday from each student. Monday is spent with individual students looking at progress & how I can help be more successful."

What are your top challenges you face supporting online students in your district? "Paper-work includes registration, online teachers who don't get back to students with their questions on a timely basis, administrative accountability expectations to hit 90% + success rate.” “Teaching time management, and technical issues, and time management” “Time, number of students, technical questions."

Challenges “We have great support for online learners; the biggest problem is keeping them in the online class and not somewhere else on the web. I also have difficulty getting them to complete or really understand the tutorial; they like to jump right in no matter what they are told."

Challenges “Determining validity of student excuses for lack of progress." “Students working from home-not being in the building to see what they are seeing, Technology issues, and not enough time to support them." “Getting them in the routine, getting them to communicate with the teachers, and getting them to get organized as the class is, sometimes they are not."

Challenges “Time, accessibility to the student, knowledge of the course. I learn more about the courses that we provide every year but there are still questions that come up that I can't answer.“ “Students' lack of inherent motivation. Time. Did I mention time?"

Do you use any tools to evaluate student readiness or have district/school guidelines for who can take courses? “I meet with the student's counselor and a high school administrator to evaluate the student's academic record, discipline record, personal circumstances, need for credits, and desire for online coursework. Most students are approved for courses regardless of the aforementioned items, but occasionally, we require students to find success in other areas before we allow them to begin a course."

Tools to Evaluate Student Readiness "I meet with all the on-line students before the course starts to give them detailed information and expectations. Every student has an opportunity to try an on-line course; I find that some students drop out after the initial meeting.“ “There is typically a conversation with student and parents about the expectations of taking an online class."

Tools to Evaluate Student Readiness "We do not use a readiness tool at this time. Students on-campus are not allowed to take a course online that is offered on- campus. Exceptions do exist.” "The guidance counselor selects the students who will take online classes.” "Online readiness survey provided in course guide."

Does your school/district have any online policies that they feel are helpful and contribute to student success? "LEG expectations. Enrichment courses are paid for by student if they fail the class. High expectations of students who choose this type of learning are reflected in the selection process." "We provide a LEG for all online students." "A clear and strong contract."

Online Policies Helpful and Contribute to Student Success "If they fail a course they must pay the district back. Money talks!" "We have a policy and a Virtual High School Student Contract that must be signed and returned." "We have policies that have been approved by our school board that students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) must sign. The policies primarily address online safety and ethical use of materials, but also address future online courses (students may not take additional online courses at the district's expense unless they have successfully completed prior courses, or paid the district back for any unsuccessful courses)."

LEG Training and Resources to Support Successful Experiences Sample LEG Training AgendaSample LEG Training Agenda LEG “Must” Do ListLEG “Must” Do List Student Online Readiness Packet and Sample Student ContractsStudent Online Readiness Packet and Sample Student Contracts Being a Successful Online Student PresentationBeing a Successful Online Student Presentation Using Monitoring Tools ProvidedUsing Monitoring Tools Provided

WVS/Aventa Front Office

Student Progress: Grade Book View

Student Activity Report

Questions, Comments and Sharing Dawn Nordine, WVS Director Nancy Kind, WVS Program Support Phone: , Ext. 231 Website: or