Virtual Class Guidelines     Spring 2019
Virtual Learning Coordinator: Tina Kohler: hspvirtuals@shamrocks.us

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** MAXIMUM of 2 Virtual Classes per student only if each is in a different category**
Virtual classes count toward the maximum of 4 total number of classes a student may have on his or her schedule. 

​Virtual classes are a great way to round out your student’s education.  Although all are educational, many elementary choices are entertaining as well, and many parents use time spent on their class as a reward for completing their regular core school work.  Our middle school and high school MVU (Michigan Virtual)  classes have excellent, rigorous content which, when completed, can be added to the student’s homeschool transcript. Foreign language exposure is advantageous for all ages, so we have several choices from which to choose.  Explore each class under the Virtual Classes tab for more information!

• All virtual classes are designed to be done from home or anywhere, please be sure to note if your class is accessible from the devices you plan to use.
• All Partnership classes, including virtuals, are Project-Based Learning courses.  Every student taking a virtual course needs to complete a project of his or her choosing that correlates to the Learning Goal (why are you taking this class?).  The project could be in the form of a written essay, video presentation, poster depicting what was learned, community experience using the subject matter learned, etc. and must be completed and demonstrated (turned in to mentor teacher) by the end of the semester.
• If you choose a virtual class, it is expected that the content of the course AND project will be completed by the end of the semester according to the virtual class guidelines.  
• Ambitious students who complete an entire virtual course will have the option of adding any another course from our list during the semester (including core subjects).
• Access to Virtuals:  Access to virtual classes will begin as soon as you receive your usernames and passwords shortly after the semester begins. Access information comes in an email from Tina Kohler usually the first week of school except for Rosetta Stone which will come from the company.
• ​Classes are available during Christmas break and some may continue through the summer.
• All classes are semester-based.  Classes vary in the length of time they take to complete.  All are designed to take approximately 1 - 1.5 hours per week to complete, but the pace is up to the student as long as adequate progress is shown throughout the semester. Longer, more intense classes have been divided in order to facilitate completion within a semester while averaging 1.5 hours of work per week.   

Virtual Class Requirements:

Virtual Class Policy:  Students must start their virtual class prior to Count Day or they risk being removed from the class without warning. Students must also show sufficient and consistent progress on their virtual class throughout the semester. Students must meet the minimum number of hours or lessons outlined below in their non-core virtual classes by the end of the semester for the course requirement..  The registration form checkbox states that students will complete or attend 80% of classes for which they are registered.   

Grades are not assigned, but progress will be monitored by our staff every month to address issues as they arise and help students resume activity.  If a family has login or computer or internet issues, please notify us immediately so we can help. Telling us at the end of the semester that there were login problems throughout the course will not excuse the student from the requirement. Students who do not meet the minimum  virtual requirements by consistent progress and have poor semester-end results will be placed on a probationary status for the next semester.  A student on probationary status needs to complete 80% of the previous semester’s work plus 80% of the current semester’s work in order to return to good standing.  If the student still demonstrates poor compliance during the probationary period, the student receives a "fail" as the grade and is at risk for not being able to continue in the Partnership thereafter.

The following goals need to be achieved in order to receive a "pass" for the class:

• Rosetta Stone Languages:  At least 80% completion of 16 hours for Elem, 20 hours for MS, and 24 hours for HS as determined by Rosetta Stone.
• Middlebury World Languages:  At least 80% completion of 6 Units for K-2 group or 8 Units for 3-5 group.
• Michigan Virtual: At least 80% completion of the chosen class.
• The Animation Course: 80% attendance at classes and good participation as reported by the company.
• ALL classes: Submission of Final Project (see second bullet-point above)

Computer Requirements:
All virtual classes work best with a high speed internet connection.  Some dial up connections and air cards will not permit the programs to function properly.  If you have a slow connection, you may want to plan on attending the open hours at the computer lab available at the Berrien Springs Virtual Learning Academy or plan on using a high speed connection at your local library for your virtual classes.  A laptop may be checked out at the Virtual Lab upon request if available.