NCVPS Best Practices from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

[Guest blog post from Hope Johnston, Central Office DLA, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools]

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) has been participating in NCVPS since Fall of 2007 when it was first rolled out to NC school districts. Since then, CMS has been learning how to set students up for success in the virtual classroom. Much of what we have learned has been trial and error. The following are some suggestions that we have found to be helpful in ensuring student success:

Middle School Students enrolled in World Languages or Math courses:

1. It is recommend that middle school students take NCVPS classes as part of their regular school day and that they have a facilitator present to help them with questions as they navigate the course.

2. Students must have achieved a level III or IV on the most recent reading, math, science EOG and writing assessment to take any virtual courses.

3. Students must have successfully completed a computer related elective course in middle school with a “C” or better.

4. It is suggested that at a minimum students read and write on grade level.

5. It is recommended that NCVPS students have access to a computer with an internet connection at home.

All High School Students:

6. It is recommended that all prerequisite courses must be successfully passed with a “C” or better prior to enrolling in a virtual course.

7. It is recommended that students must have achieved a level III or IV on the 8th grade reading EOG or the English I EOC (whichever is most recent); Students must have achieved a level III or IV on the most recent math EOG, Algebra I EOC or appropriate grade level high school math EOC (whichever is most recent) to take any math or science related course and Students must have achieved a level III or IV on the most recent state writing assessment to take any virtual course.

8. It is recommended that students must have passed all parts of the NC Computer Skills Test.

We have also discovered that students are more successful with an involved DLA.

9. DLAs at each school are requested to follow up with students on a regular basis and should submit a printed copy of their grade sheets every 2 weeks.

10. CMS uses a contact between students, parents and the school to ensure all parties understand what is required of them.

[Hope Johnston has worked in education for over 15 years including 10 as a classroom teacher in both middle and high schools. She holds a BCA from UNC-Charlotte and an MA in Arts Administration from Winthrop University. Her current passion is working with students and teachers in distance learning and video conferencing. She is currently the Distance Learning Advisor for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.]