Virtual Learning¶
Virtual Learning Data Collection¶
The State of Vermont’s landmark legislation Act 77 was passed in 2013 to encourage and support the creativity of school districts as they develop and expand high-quality educational experiences that are an integral part of secondary education. These educational experiences include flexible pathways that acknowledge students’ individual goals, learning styles, and abilities as they meet graduation requirements needed for secondary school completion and to increase postsecondary continuation. Virtual learning is one of the key flexible pathways of Act 77 and accurate course enrollment information is key to ensuring that all students are meeting graduation requirements when taking courses in a virtual environment.
The AOE has identified the need for strengthened data quality that we receive from districts. We have noticed coding inconsistencies that must be addressed at the local level for the State to make sound, data-driven decisions. The Agency understands its responsibility to provide clear definitions and consistent protocols that will enable districts to provide the data needed to measure the extent and efficiency of virtual learning as a means of students meeting graduation requirements.
The following Frequently Asked Questions are intended to provide those definitions and protocols that will ensure consistent and complete data related to virtual learning is received. If you have questions that cannot be answered by the questions and scenarios provided below, please contact The AOE’s Data Management Division and/or the Flexible Pathways Team.
Questions relevant to all virtual learning providers:¶
Q: Do I need to build course sections in my SIS for any student enrolled in a virtual course through our school?¶
A: Yes. This ensures that all students engaged in a virtual learning flexible pathway are accurately counted in the states data collection and by having the course appear in the student’s schedule ensures that your school receives the appropriate ADM for that student.
Q: What is the correct course setting for virtual course sections?¶
A: Please use the code VR, which stands for virtual.
Q: Do I need to provide a VT licensed teacher of record for virtual learning providers that are not located in VT?¶
A: Yes. Per EQS 2120.8, “any credits earned must occur under the supervision of an appropriately licensed educator”. Since it is not possible to ensure that out of state providers have licensed VT educators you should use the generic virtual teacher code 9999300 as the Teacher of Record and provide the perm number of a teacher from that content area at your school as the Co-Teacher. This co-teacher will supervise the learning to ensure that it aligns with local curriculum and ensure that you have met the requirements of EQS.
Q: Is there a grade limit and how would you report someone enrolled in your school but taking courses through a virtual learning provider?¶
A: Virtual learning is available for all K-12 students. Please enroll these students in your school at the grade they are at and report them with an ADMINSTAT of 08. You can see below for further considerations about reporting courses.
Q: Will we be required to submit course enrollments and end of year grades for those attending virtual courses?¶
A: Yes. Each school participating in VTVLC programs has a person that is a “school coordinator”. This person has an extract of course enrollment, attendance, and student transcripts (grades) over the course of the year. Typically, those with access to this in VTVLC we've seen may wear the hat of guidance counselor or mentors at your local schools.
Questions specific to Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative (VTVLC):¶
Q: How do I download course and student information from VTVLC?¶
A: Here is a video guide provided by VTVLC on how to get this information from their system.
Scenarios for Consideration¶
In the following scenarios, each course section that a teacher teaches has either only in-person students or only virtual students. There are no hybrid classes where some students are virtual and some in-person. Here are some scenarios that exist for our teachers and our students:
Scenario 1¶
A local teacher is teaching one or more virtual courses for VTVLC - no in person at all in these sections. Enrolled in course sections are: • local students as virtual students • other VT students as virtual In our SIS we would create a course section for the local teacher as a virtual course section and enroll local students but NOT other VT students.
Response Yes, those students will be reported by their own enrolling school. That school will need to use the virtual teacher option for their course section setup, but you will basically be reporting a virtual course with one of your teachers.
Scenario 2¶
A local teacher is teaching virtual courses for VTVLC and in-person courses at our school. Enrolled in course sections are: • local students only in the in-person course sections • no local students are enrolled in the teacher's VTVLC course sections • other VT students are virtual No students from our school are enrolled in their VTVLC courses, but local students are enrolled in their in-person local course sections. In our SIS we would create course sections for the local teacher for in-person course sections and enroll local students?
Response In this case you need to create the in-person course section option. Again, the virtual aspects of the actual course will be captured by the high school of those students who are virtual.
Scenario 3¶
Local students who are 100% virtual take a VTVLC course but the teacher is from a different Vermont school. In our SIS we would create a course section for the course, with a Vermont Virtual Educator (9999300) as Teacher of Record and local guidance director as co-teacher? Or is it the other way around?
Response There is another way to complete the data here. Like we do for the CTE teachers, you can get the permnumber and teacher information. That teacher is 100% of a 0 FTE for your school. This allows you to use the real teacher permnumber and report the course without the use the code number 9999300. Many schools are set up to report on these courses using the 9999300 number at this point. This can be used at the time of enrollment as the particular section and teacher of the VTVLC course may not be known. It would be best to edit the generic virtual teacher code to the actual VT licensed VTVLC teacher at the time the final course grade is entered. This ensures that EQS 2120.8 is met in that “any credits earned must occur under the supervision of an appropriately licensed educator”.
Scenario 4¶
When I go to enter the final course grade and update the teacher of record, my SIS does not have the option to select the VTVLC teacher? Should I just keep it as the generic virtual teacher code and a co-teacher of record from the same content area as the course?
Response You should have your data manager add the VTVLC teacher and their perm number into your SIS. They can do this for the individual teacher as needed or they can import all VTVLC teachers and that will allow you to select the appropriate teacher for each course as needed.