Beecher 200U E-Learning Plan

1. Ensure and verify at least 5 clock hours of instruction or school work, as required under Section 10-19.05, for each student participating in an e-learning day:

In our Remote Engagement program, each student is expected to complete all the courses and activities of their normal school day. This includes core courses, electives/specials and physical education. This more than guarantees their minimum 300 minutes.

2. Ensure access from home or other remote facility for all students participating, including computers, the Internet, and other forms of electronic communication that must be utilized in the proposed program:

Students in grades 3-12 have been sent home with Chromebooks. Students in grades 1-2 have been sent home with iPads. For families without internet access, students have been allowed access to our campus until we reach a more permanent solution.

3. Ensure that non-electronic materials are made available for students participating in the program who do not have access to the required technology or to participating teachers or students who are prevented from accessing the required technology:

Since kindergarten students may have trouble accessing online content, hard copies of their daily work materials will be sent home if possible and will continue to be refreshed when necessary. At the lower grade levels, a majority of the content is provided via hard copy. As the grade level rises, so does the percentage of materials that are strictly online.

4. Ensure appropriate learning opportunities for students with special needs:

Special education teachers are working specifically with their normal caseloads to continue all appropriate levels of support. Additionally, aides are able to remotely work with students to provide their normal, additional supports.

5. Monitor and verify each student’s electronic participation:

Teachers have periodic checks (as appropriate) to collect assignments and check participation, ensuring that students are putting in the proper level of effort to move their learning forward.

6. Address the extent to which student participation is within the student’s control as to the time, pace, and means of learning:

Since the expectation of work completed is the same as a normal school day, there is an inherent assurance that students will be properly engaged.

7. Provide effective notice to students and their parents/guardians of the use of particular days for e-learning:

We will be utilizing our Remote Engagement protocols for each day school is closed for emergencies. In all cases, a notification will be sent home to students and parents within hours of the school being notified.

8. Provide staff and students with adequate training for e-learning days’ participation:

The students have been using the technology that was sent home with them all last year. Additionally, the District has been focusing the majority of its recent staff PD on technology implementation in the classroom.

9. Ensure that all teachers and staff who may be involved in the provisions of e-learning have access to any and all hardware/software that may be required:

Prior to being sent home for closure, any staff who requested additional hardware at home was allowed to check out additional hardware. This was done to facilitate their remote participation with students.

10. Ensure an opportunity for any collective bargaining negotiations with representatives of the school district’s employees that would be legally required, and including all classifications of school district employees who are represented by CBAs and who would be affected in the event of an e-learning day:

These Remote Engagement days will be a part of the teachers’ normal work year. All Board-approved contracts and stipends will be honored. For hourly employees, all normal paychecks will be issued, regardless of actual hours worked.

11. Review and revise the program as implemented to address difficulties confronted.

The Remote Engagement plan will be addressed each semester and summer to assess difficulties and address it to benefit student learning.

12. Ensure that the protocol regarding general expectations and responsibilities of the program is communicated to teachers, staff, and students at least 30 days prior to utilizing an e-learning day.

The Remote Engagement plan will be discussed with staff and teachers at the open institute day. They will also receive a copy of this plan in their email. Teachers will include e-learning conversation within their opening days of classroom expectations.