So...What Does Attendance Look Like at an Online School?
Students attending a traditional “brick and mortar” school know that if they physically are present at school that day, they will earn Attendance credit.
For students enrolled in a strictly online school, there is no physical location to attend; therefore, attendance credit is earned in a different manner.
While attendance looks different in an online environment, it isn’t any less important.
How Attendance is Recorded Online
Many online students and parents may think that if they login to their course(s) that day then they have earned attendance credit. This is because they are thinking of online schooling in the same terms as a traditional brick and mortar school.
Online charter schools, otherwise known as non-classroom based independent study programs, give attendance credit based on the work that a student did that day.
A successful online student (in terms of attendance) will complete work in one or more course each school day. This means that the student must login to a course and complete a work assignment. CalPac coursework is accessible on our online platform 24/7, which allows students to complete their work on a schedule that works for them.
The work completed should be something that could be printed out and shown to a teacher. For this reason, students are often asked to complete at least one quiz and/or test each school day in one or more of their courses.
Let’s a take a look at our official attendance policies regarding coursework and classes :
- Students are expected to complete 100% of assigned course work by the given due date(s).
- Students are required to log in and to work on assignments in their online courses each school day.
- There are certain times and situations that are exempt from the above requirement (e.g., certain holidays, religious holidays, pre-arranged family vacations, and family emergencies)
- Students are required to post in the learning log a brief summary of any work completed on or off line for the day.
- Despite any technical difficulty, students are responsible for completing their academic assignments and adhering to the attendance policy.
- Students are required to attend weekly Live Sessions for each of their courses per the course/school policy or identified by the academic year.
- Students must check in with their teachers on a weekly basis via phone, text message, online classroom, or email.
- Students are expected to attend all required classes, meetings, and appointments, as determined by the program.
- Students are expected to attend all scheduled meetings with the student’s homeroom teacher, counselor, SAI provider, administrator, or other specialized service providers.
The flexibility we offer our online students is something that we pride ourself on, but we take the subject of attendance – meaning turning in all work, attending weekly live sessions, and staying in communication with your teachers – very seriously.
While students are able to complete course work for classes on their own schedule throughout the day, that does not mean they are able to submit assignments at their leisure throughout the semester.
Students are expected to keep up with deadlines and complete any work they have in a class by the time it is due. Our faculty is always here to help, and if a student is struggling to meet these standards they will work with that student to find a solution.
How Can Attendance in Online Environment Benefit a Student?
Having attendance measured by completed coursework as opposed to being physically present in a classroom all day, every weekday, offers a myriad of benefits to online students.
They are not confined to the four walls of a classroom from 8am-3pm
By accessing their schooling virtually, students are given a huge amount of flexibility and personalization, both in their time and their location.
They are able to complete work at a pace that suites their needs as opposed to having to stay on pace with other students in a brick and mortar setting.
They are also able to access their work from anywhere that they are able to access wifi, meaning that those who need to travel, work, or would otherwise not be able to make it to an in-person classroom will not miss out on a great education.
That Flexibility Opens up Other Doors
Because many of the constraints of a typical classroom don’t exist in a virtual one – CalPac online students are able to participate in things like professional sports, careers in the entertainment industry, and pursuing college level coursework while they are enrolled here.
Many of these pursuits would be unavailable (or incredibly difficult) to brick & mortar students.
Click the links below to read about some CalPac students who have used the flexibility CalPac offers to shine:
Maxi Duncan – Tennis Star
Talia Hammond – Competitive Sailor
Gavin Lopez – Rodeo Athelete
Izzy Newman – Performer & Junior Soccer Expert
Andrew Rassi – BMX Athlete
Ilyada Sayin – Ballet Dancer, Musician, Future Doctor
Katelyn West – Competitive Skateboarder
We pride ourselves in creating a flexible and personalized learning environment for our students that allows them to pursue their personal dreams while also excelling in their academic pursuits. To learn more about enrolling your students at CalPac, visit our enrollment page.
The post Getting To Know Attendance In Online Education appeared first on California Pacific Charter Schools.
This post first appeared on Online School Grades 6-12 In California | CalPac, please read the originial post: here
