PRIOR TO STUDENT ENROLLMENT
Distance education courses can expand the curriculum selection a district provides to students however this instructional delivery may not be the best solution for every student. Ultimately, the appropriateness of using distance education must be determined on a student-by-student basis through the collaboration between the resident district, program provider, the student and family.
Pre-Enrollment Consultation
The primary goal of the pre-enrollment consultation is to discuss the best educational opportunities available to the student. To participate in a distance education program, the student must be aware of the appropriateness of the decision and understand any requirements that are expected of them.
Student Appropriateness
A process to verify that distance education is appropriate to the learning capabilities of the individual student may include required training, simulations, readiness surveys, or other experiences prior to the start of classes. The resident district should establish local distance learning policies that, at a minimum, considers the student’s:
- Motivation – A significant factor for success in a distance education course, particularly when delivered asynchronously online, is student motivation and self-discipline.
- Access – To participate in any distance education course, each student must have immediate and reliable access to the required technology.
- Support – The distance education student should have multiple support systems in place to monitor progress, provide assistance, and encourage the student through the coursework. This support system is a critical factor for the completion of a distance education course. For a fulltime distance education student that will be taking courses in a home-based environment, it is essential that the student’s supervision is confirmed.
Every statewide program provider outlines their own method of pre-enrollment consultation in the Student Accountability narrative posted on the WSN website. If any of these policies are unclear, please contact the program’s administrator and/or the WDE distance education consultants.
Student Requirements
During the pre-enrollment consultation, the resident should clearly explain to the student the expectations the student will have to meet in order to enroll and participate in a distance education program. These requirements are to enable the district to facilitate, monitor, and support the student’s education. Student requirements include, at a minimum, the frequency and method(s) of contact and assessments required of the student.
Student requirements should not limit student access to distance education courses or impose unreasonable criteria for eligibility. If a student is aware of and still unwilling to meet these requirements, then a more appropriate educational opportunity needs to be made available.
Each DE program provider also establishes their own requirements for student enrollment. An overview of these requirements is presented on the Switchboard within the program provider’s Student Accountability narrative. For more information, please contact the administrator of the distance education program.
Resident District Consent
A DE program provider shall not enroll or collect any student information prior to the resident district’s consent. The student’s resident district cannot unreasonably withhold consent for a student that desires to enroll into a distance education program.
If the resident district does not consent to the student’s enrollment, the student’s family has the option to transfer to a district that operates a distance education program that accepts fulltime transfers.
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