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PROPOSED REGULATION CHANGES
6172.6R
INSTRUCTION
VIRTUAL/ONLINE COURSES
Review Committee
The Superintendent shall establish a committee to review all online courses prior to use
by the District. This committee will consist of the Director of Teaching & Learning, a
school administrator, a school counselor, and a teacher. Courses reviewed and
approved by this committee will be added to the Program of Studies and made available
during spring course registration. The administration reserves the right to place a cap on
the number of available seats for enrollment for any online course.
High school students may earn a maximum of two (2) units of academic credit to be
applied toward graduation requirements by completing online courses through agencies
approved by the review committee unless the Principal waives that provision in writing
stating the reasons why, citing whatever circumstances that have caused this waiver.
Requests for New Online Courses
Students applying for permission to take an online course that is not yet included in the
Program of Studies will do the following:
Request – The student and parent/guardian shall submit a written request for approval
to the principal. The request shall include:
A. A course description, course objectives, performance criteria, the name of the
sponsoring institution, and a complete cost of the course (i.e., tuition, fees, texts,
etc.).
B. A statement of how the course enhances the students’ overall educational
program.
C. Rationale for requesting the course.
Review – The Review Committee shall review the request in a timely manner. The
Committee shall consider the following:
A. Course content, rigor, assessment method, alignment with curriculum standards,
and its connection to the mission of the district.
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B. Student completion of any necessary prerequisites.
C. Student maturation, readiness and other related factors.
Notification – The administration shall notify the parent/guardian in writing of the
Committee’s decision in a timely manner.
A. The notification shall be included in the student’s record.
B. If approved, the notification shall include expectations for course completion
including student monitoring and expected completion date.
C. If approved, the notification shall include expectations for completing
state/District assessments aligned to Board approved curricula.
Record – The school shall maintain a record of the completion of online courses in the
student’s record.
A. The school must receive an official record of the final grade in the online course
from the virtual school.
B. The final grade in the approved online course shall be recorded on the transcript.
C. The final grade in the approved online course shall not be factored into the
student’s grade point average and class rank.
Tuition and Fees
The cost for an online course that is included in the Board approved Program of Studies
or approved by the review committee shall be borne by the District for students who
are enrolled in the Colchester Public Schools.
Student Expectations and Support Services
Upon enrolling in an online course for the first time, students shall work with the faculty
to develop an online learning plan that includes, at a minimum, a schedule for
participation and progress goals.
Students enrolled in an online course shall adhere to attendance requirements and the
District code of conduct to include rules of behavior and consequences for violations.
Through its policies and/or supervision plan, the school shall be responsible for
providing appropriate supervision and monitoring of students taking virtual courses.
Students will have access to sufficient library media resources such as a “virtual library”
available through the World Wide Web, laboratory facilities, technical assistance, and
hands-on training and information.
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Evaluation
The District will evaluate the educational effectiveness of online courses and the
teaching/learning process to include assessments based on state/District curriculum
standards as well as student satisfaction. The District will use this evaluation to decide
whether to continue or discontinue offering an online course.
(cf. 6141.321 - Computers: Acceptable Use of the Internet)
(cf. 6141.1 - Independent Study)
(cf. 6146 - Graduation Requirements)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-221 Boards of education to prescribe rules, policies and procedures.
10-221a High school graduation requirements. (as amended by P.A. 00-124, An Act
Concerning High School Diplomas and Veterans of World War II, P.A. 00-156, An Act
Requiring A Civics Course for High School Graduation and P.A. 08-138, An Act
Concerning High School Credit for Private World Language Courses ,Other Subject Areas)
and P.A. 10-111, An Act Concerning Education Reform in Connecticut,
REGULATION ADOPTED: March 8, 2011
REVISED: December 13, 2011
REVISED: July 14, 2020
COLCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Colchester, Connecticut
Approved virtual/ online courses must be consistent with the mission of the district and
aligned with academic standards. Students may enroll in:
1. Bacon Academy designed hybrid courses, offering credit, using a combination of
face to face and online learning.
2. Virtual High School Consortium and CT Virtual Learning Center.
3. Other Institutions accredited by the New England Association of Schools and
Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle States
Association of Colleges and Schools, North Central Association of Colleges and
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Schools, Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, or Western Association
of Schools and Colleges.
The following process shall be followed for students to enroll in virtual/ online courses:
Request – The student and parent/guardian shall provide at least ten (10) school days
advance written notice to the principal of the request for approval for student
enrollment in a virtual/ online course. The request shall include:
a. A course description, course objectives, performance criteria, the name of
the sponsoring institution, and any other pertinent information.
b. A statement of how the course enhances the students’ overall educational
program.
c. Rationale for requesting the course.
Review – A committee composed of an administrator, school counselor, teacher, and
the school’s Online Course Coordinator shall review the request in a timely manner. The
committee shall consider the following:
a. Course content, rigor, assessment method, and its connection to the mission
of the district.
b. Student completion of any necessary pre-requisites.
c. Student maturation, readiness and other related factors.
Notification – The administration shall notify the parent/guardian in writing of the
committee’s decision in a timely manner.
a. The notification shall be included in the student’s record.
b. If approved, the notification shall include expectations for course completion
including student monitoring and expected completion date.
Record – The school shall maintain a record of the completion of virtual/ online courses
in the student’s record.
a. The school must receive an official record of the final grade in the virtual/
online course.
b. The final grade in the approved virtual/ online course shall be recorded on
the transcript.
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c. The final grade in the approved virtual/ online course shall not be factored
into the student’s grade point average and class rank.
Limitations
The Colchester Board of Education believes enrollment in virtual/ online courses,
whether through Virtual High School or other institutions, provide enrichment
opportunities for students when taken as a part of a comprehensive education program.
However, an important component of a comprehensive educational program includes
the opportunity for substantial, personal, and timely interactions between staff and
students and among students in academic and co-curricular settings. Therefore Bacon
Academy students may earn a maximum of six (6) credits by successfully completing
pre-approved virtual/ online courses with no more than two (2) credits applied toward
the required credits for graduation in any combination of English, mathematics, science,
or social studies.
Expectations
Student participation in virtual/ online courses requires a high degree of maturity and ethical
behavior. It is the expectation that students will demonstrate the maturity and ethical
behavior necessary to protect their well-being and maximize their educational growth in
any virtual/online course and specifically follow Colchester’s Acceptable Use Policy.
Students enrolled in virtual/ online courses must comply with all board policies, school
rules, and/or student handbook regulations.
Evaluation
The district shall periodically review student enrollment in virtual/ online courses and the
consistency of such courses with the mission of the district, instructional goals, and
alignment with academic standards. The district will evaluate the educational
effectiveness of distance courses and the learning using assessments based on
curriculum standards as well as student satisfaction.
The cost for a virtual/ online course shall be borne by the parent/guardian unless one of the
following circumstances applies:
● The student is unable to take a required course offered at Bacon Academy due to
an unavoidable scheduling conflict.
● The course will serve as a supplement to extended homebound instruction.
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● The district has expelled the student from the regular school setting, but
educational services are to be continued.
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