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POLICY STATEMENT

Public boards of education will report to the Ministry when students become active participants in distributed learning. The Ministry will only fund enrolled students that meet the active policy below.

RATIONALE

Active participation in distributed learning is equivalent to attendance in a school and is a requirement under the School Act, Section 1 (1).  Public boards of education or authorities must have evidence of active participation to be funded by the Ministry for a distributed learning student’s course or program.

LEGISLATION/ REGULATIONS

• School Act, Section 1 (Definitions: “attend”, “distributed learning”, “distributed learning school”)
• School Act, Section 6
• School Act, Section 17 and School Regulation
• Graduation Program Order
• British Columbia Adult Graduation Requirements Order
• Required Areas of Study in an Educational Program Order

ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS

Attend, Course Plan, Distributed Learning, Distributed Learning School, Student Learning Plan

POLICY

Students that meet the following criteria will be considered active for funding purposes.

• School files for Grade K - 9 students must contain dated evidence that a student is active at the activation submission date, as listed in the 1701 Instructions to claim funding. The minimum evidence is a teacher-developed learning plan and a documented commitment from a parent. Additionally, there must be evidence of the student’s active participation in the funded educational program three weeks after the snapshot date.
  
  
• School files for Grade10 - 12 students (including all adult claims) must contain all of the following at the activation submission date as listed in the 1701 Instructions to be claimed for funding:
  
  
  1. For each eligible course claim, at least one substantive student course activity submitted by the student to the teacher The substantive student course activity will be linked to the learning outcomes of each course claimed, will be dated, marked, and represents a minimum of five percent of the course’s learning activities. Evidence supporting the gradebook entry must be provided, and dated on or before the Active date.
  2. A clear course plan for each subject listed on the signed student course selection form, which links to learning outcomes, performance standards, required resources and assessment strategies. This course plan is the evidence supporting the requirement that assigned work is meeting the learning outcomes.
  3. At least one example of dated instruction-related communication between the teacher and student directly linked to the learning outcomes of each eligible course claim.
  4. A course selection form listing eligible courses that meet graduation requirements, reviewed annually and signed and dated by the student and/or parent, as per Board of Education policy.

PROCEDURES

To claim funding for students in distributed learning courses or programs, public board of education or authorities must ensure:

1. Teachers lead educational programs to ensure curriculum outcomes will be addressed through educational activities, assessment strategies, and learning resources. Examples include:

• Evidence of course or student timetables, course selection forms, registration reports, and information gathered through interviews with teachers and other staff.
• Students in Grades K-9
• Evidence of a student learning plan on record, that is signed and dated by the teacher and parent (and by the student, if old enough to understand the plan), and refers to these elements:
  
  
  • Learning outcomes in the Integrated Resource Packages for the program and/or course(s);
  • Required areas of study for the program and/or course;
  • The teacher's plan for providing learning activities;
  • Learning resources required to complete the program and/or course(s);
  • Assessment strategies and standards of performance expected of the student
• Students in Grades 10-12 and non-graduated Adults
• Evidence of a course plan (course outline, or syllabus) on record that is signed and dated by the teacher and student and/or parent. The course plan will be on site, or verification that the school of record maintains the student learning plan will be readily available. The course plan includes:
  • A reference to the Provincial or Board Authority/Authorized learning outcomes;
  • A list of topics covered;
  • Learning resources required to complete the program and/or course(s);
  • Assessment strategies and standards of performance expected of the student.
• Evidence of a course selection form, dated and signed by the student and/or parent, listing each eligible course claimed for funding leading to graduation, in accordance with the Provincial Graduation Requirements Order
• Graduated Adults
• Evidence of a course plan (course outline, or syllabus) on record that is signed and dated by the teacher and student. The course plan will be on site.
• Evidence that the course is a Ministry or Board/Authority Authorized course listed on LearnNow BC

2. Teachers will communicate with students to support the learning outcomes in their K-9 program. Evidence includes a record of telephone calls, email messages and meetings (online or in person).

• Students in Grades 10-12, including Adults
• For each eligible course claim, evidence must include at least one example of dated instruction-related communication directly linked to the learning outcomes for the course.
• Evidence for each course claim can occur via email messages, telephone calls, face-to-face meetings, or computer-mediated conferences documented in the school file.

3. Student work is submitted to teachers and directly links to curriculum outcomes in the student’s program.

• Students in Grades K-9
• Evidence includes dated examples of student work, assessment data and teacher gradebook entries reflecting student engagement in a significant portion of the program.
• Students in Grades 10-12, including Adults
• For each eligible Grade 10-12 course claim, at least one substantive student course activity is submitted to the teacher and directly links to the curriculum outcomes required in each course.
• Evidence for each eligible course claim includes substantive student course activity demonstrating that a minimum of five per cent of the course’s learning activities have been covered.
• For Grades 10-12 students, the following evidence elements must be readily available and dated:
  • The qualifying substantive course activity as recorded in a gradebook or other tracking system.
  • The course or program instructions and materials associated with the assignments or course work.
  • A copy of the completed substantive student course activity submitted by the student
  • A copy of the teacher’s observations, feedback and marking details for the qualifying substantive student course activities.

4. The “Active Date” for a student in a course or program is the earliest date, supportable with evidence, which satisfies the policy conditions. The Active Date is no earlier than the date the school assigns a student to a course through registration, enrolment, or class configuration mechanisms.