MOCAP Virtual Instruction

Lexington R-V School’s preferred provider for Secondary (grades 6-12) for virtual instruction is Launch. We already have an agreement on file with
Springfield Public Schools for the use of this online platform. It matches the rigor and standards that Lexington R-V Schools expects for its graduates. At this time, research is being conducted to identify the appropriate provider for Elementary (K-5) Instruction for Virtual Courses.

A link to their website of courses is below:  
https://fueledbylaunch.com/courses/

Courses are also available through MOCAP at  https://mocap.mo.gov/catalog/

Lexington R-V School District Virtual Course Participation Guidelines

Introduction

Eligible students may enroll in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) approved courses at the district expense unless the district determines that it is not in the best educational interest of the student to take the course.  

Enrollment

Students interested in taking online courses in the Lexington R-V School District must be already enrolled in Lexington R-V Schools. The application deadline for virtual instruction is 10 school days into each semester or within 10 days of enrolling in Lexington R-V Schools. If a student does not meet these requirements, the student cannot be enrolled with Lexington R-V Schools.

A student or the student’s parent/guardian must notify the student’s principal or designee before the student may enroll in a district-sponsored virtual course or a Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP) virtual course through the district.

The principal or designee will educate the student and the student’s parents/guardians about how virtual instruction is provided and the key differences between virtual and in-person instruction.  The principal or designee will discuss the virtual course options available to the student, determine which course or courses interest the student and how the course or courses will assist the student in meeting his or her academic and personal goals.  The principal or designee will also inform the student and the student’s parents/guardians of whether the course is available in a traditional setting, whether the student must complete any prerequisites prior to taking a particular course and whether the prerequisite courses are offered by the district virtually or traditionally. 

The principal or designee, in consultation with the student’s parents/guardians and other relevant staff, such as the school counselor or the district’s special education director, will determine whether there is a good cause to refuse the student enrollment in the course.  Students or parents/guardians who disagree with the principal’s or designee’s determination about a MOCAP course can appeal the decision to the Board of Education and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).  For all other virtual courses, students or parents/guardians may appeal the decision to the superintendent or designee, and the superintendent’s or designees’ decision will be final.  In accordance with federal law, if a student receives special education services, the student’s individualized education program (IEP) team may determine that a virtual course is not appropriate for the student even if the course has otherwise been approved by the district.

If district staff determine that it is not in the best educational interest of a student to take a virtual course, that decision will be documented in writing and provided to the student and the parents/guardians.

Best Educational Interest Considerations

District staff should minimally consider the following when deciding whether a virtual course is in the best educational interest of a student but may consider other factors not listed.

Graduation Requirements

All graduation policies regarding credit requirements and acquisition still apply.

District Course Availability

1.  If the course is offered onsite by the district, are there extenuating circumstances that make it difficult or impossible for the student to take the onsite course offered by the district?
2. If the course is offered onsite by the district and the student is able to take that course, what are the reasons the student wants to take the virtual course?

Virtual Course Characteristics

1. Does the course meet or exceed district curriculum standards and graduation requirements?
2. Does the course align with the student’s career goals and the student’s individual career and academic plan (ICAP)?
3. If the course is for remediation, will it personalize instruction to the student’s specific needs?
4. Is the district aware of any complaints or concerns regarding the quality of the course, and have those complaints or concerns been resolved?
5. Has the district had difficulty working with the course instructor or provider to ensure a student with disabilities receives the required accommodations or modifications?

Student Skills Necessary for Success in Virtual Courses

1. Has the student demonstrated time-management skills that indicate that the student is capable of submitting assignments and completing course requirements without reminders?
2. Has the student demonstrated persistence in overcoming obstacles and a willingness to seek assistance when needed?
3. Has the student demonstrated verbal or written communication skills that would allow the student to succeed in an environment where the instructor may not have sufficient nonverbal cues to indicate the student’s level of understanding?
4. Does the student have the necessary computer or technical skills to succeed in a virtual course?

Other Relevant Factors

1. Does the student have adequate access to computers, internet and other necessary technology resources to participate in a virtual course and complete assignments?
2. If the student has previously attempted a virtual course and struggled with or failed the class, have the issues that caused the student to struggle or fail been identified and addressed?

Appeals

Students or parents/guardians who disagree with the above determinations about a Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP) course can appeal the decision to the Board of Education.  For all other virtual courses, students or parents/guardians may appeal the decision to the superintendent or designee.  Please provide a written description of the basis for your appeal, attach it with any pertinent documentation or information, and submit it to the appropriate person.

If the student has an individualized education program (IEP), the IEP team may independently determine that a course is inappropriate for the student.  In that case, students or parents/guardians must follow the appeal procedure for IEP team decisions.

Student Expectations

Students who enroll in district-sponsored virtual courses or MOCAP courses through the district are expected to actively participate in those courses with the goal of completing the course.  If a student does not actively participate in a course or is not successful in the course, the district may remove the student from the virtual course and refuse to enroll the student in virtual courses in the future.

Students enrolled in virtual courses are expected to complete all course requirements in the time allotted for the course.  Extensions of time to complete a virtual course will be permitted only in situations where completion of the course in the allotted time would be impossible due to factors not controlled by the student.

If a student fails a virtual course, they will not be eligible to enroll in virtual courses in the future. [i]

End of Course Examinations

Students are required to take state-required EOC examinations administered by the district regardless of whether the course for which the examination is required was taken virtually or in the traditional classroom.

Monitoring and Reporting

The district will monitor the progress and success of students enrolled in MOCAP or district-sponsored courses.  The district may remove a student from a course if it does not meet the educational needs of the student.  The district may terminate access to a course or refuse to allow students to enroll in a MOCAP or district-sponsored course if the district determines that the course is not meeting the educational needs of the students enrolled in the course.

Transfers

The district will accept transfer credits students earn by successfully passing approved MOCAP or district-sponsored courses if the course provider gives the district an official record of the completed course and the grade earned.  Students who transfer to the district while enrolled in MOCAP or district-sponsored courses will be allowed to continue enrollment in those courses even if the course provider is not one used by the district.

Extra-Curricular and Co-Curricular Activities

The district will only allow students to participate in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities as long as the student physically attends school for a majority of the credit bearing classes. At LHS this is four of seven credit bearing classes (Seminar is non-credit bearing). If a student does not meet the requirement of attending school physically will not be allowed to participate in these activities.

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[i] Revised 9/16/2019