Hi David,
I’m the director of independent study and online learning for Joel Barlow High School.  We have decided, with board approval, to have online learning follow the same guidelines as independent study.  Since all of our kids are supposed to be in attendance, SOMEWHERE, their Power School attendance is taken by study hall or one of the “centers” (Library, academic, writing, or career).  If students request it, guidance will build an extra period into the schedule.  However, since all of our online classes are asynchronous, it is up to the students to decide when they’re taking the class.  We will reserve a computer, if requested.  Each student must find an faculty member to act as advisor.  I monitor student progress and report to the advisor.  If adequate progress in not happening after a month, I meet with the student and tell the advisor that the student has to terminate if a catch-up plan is not proposed by the student.  The grade is entered into Power School by the advisor, since the student in enrolled in one of their “classes” (we call it Period 9, in an 8 period schedule). The grade is based on the online teacher’s appraisal and the advisor’s opinion of progress.
I don’t deal with VHS.  However, this year I’m dealing with these vendors:
  1. Apexlearning.com
  2. Aventa (recently renamed FuelEducation)
  3. The Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University
  4. Virtual Virginia
  5. Middlebury Interactive Languages
Each has a unique monitoring system.   

Let me know if you need more detail.
John Crowley
Director, Learning Resources & Information Technology
Joel Barlow High School
100 Black Rock Turnpike
Redding, CT  06896
203-938-2508 x1540
fax 203-938-9851

From: <Matthews>, David <dmatthews@rsd17.org>
Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at 8:22 AM
To: CASL <casl-l@mylist.net>
Subject: [CASL-L] VHS Site Coordinators, Middlesex CC coordinators, etc

Good morning,

 

I am trying to find out how other site coordinators handle inputting grades into Power School as well as taking attendance for their online students. At H-K, I have ten different classes listed for “A” period that I must go into to mark whether a student is present or not. My school runs on a A-G schedule. It is a hassle and time consuming taking attendance. I also have to enter grades at progress report time and at the end of marking periods (the grade must be forced due to the set up of the classes in Power School)

 

If you have Power School at your school and are the site coordinator for online classes  – how do you take attendance? and enter grades (if you are responsible for entering grades)?

 

Thanks.

 

Dave Matthews

Haddam-Killingworth HS

Media Specialist and VHS Site Coordinator