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Online Courses for Students
Access
Online Courses
The Office of Instructional Technology (OIT)
is facilitating the implementation of online student courses
for BCPS offices and schools. We will provide the necessary
assistance with approving the use of an online course, registering
students with the Maryland
Virtual Learning Opportunities Program (MVLO),
and monitoring system-wide implementation.
BCPS Program Description
The Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) believe
that web-delivered courses provide new opportunities in the
delivery of instruction for our students. Courses are designed
to expand student access to challenging curricula aligned
to the Maryland Content Standards and the Maryland Voluntary
Curriculum through the delivery of high quality online courses
for high school credit. These courses are consistent with
the regular school program; however, teaching is primarily
conducted online with the teacher physically separated from
the students. Students work independently and at various times
of the day or week. Teachers communicate with students online
and via telephone. Each school has a support system for students
taking online courses and management of online courses resides
at the local school.
Use of an Online Course
Online courses can be used by Baltimore County
Schools to:
- expand the range of courses and opportunities offered
to students;
- allow students to take a course when there are too few
students who need a certain course to be able to assign
a teacher to teach that course;
- provide courses for students who have schedules that
prevent them from taking a course when it is offered;
and
- provide equity for students who cannot access courses
in their regular schedule
BCPS will only consider online courses
approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
Once an online course has been approved by MSDE, BCPS Curriculum
Offices will evaluate and determine which courses can be offered.
BCPS Student Enrollment
Eligible students are not guaranteed enrollment
in any BCPS online course. Enrollment is based on course and
teacher availability AND approval by appropriate BCPS Curriculum
Offices, and the System-Level Coordinator within BCPS funding
constraints. Students must, in consultation with their School
Counselor, contact their School Site Coordinator for permission
to enroll in an online course. Once the System-Level Coordinator
approves the request, students may register for the online
course following the local school timeline and process.
BPCS will use the following to guide decision-making
in determining whether or not a student is eligible to enroll
in an online course
Students and parents must sign the BCPS
Student Participation Agreement so they
can understand the participation requirements and be better
prepared to maintain a regular schedule of logging on
and keeping up with the course work, as well as sign the
MVLO
Academic Integrity and Ethics Agreement.
If the student is not participating and completing assignments
as expected, the Online Teacher will contact the parent/guardian,
the School Site Coordinator, and the System-Level Coordinator
by phone, U.S. mail, or e-mail. The School Site Coordinator
must follow up with the student and parent/guardian and
inform the Online Teacher of the action(s) taken.
The BCPS
Guidelines and Procedures Manual for Online Courses
outlines the implementation and management of online
courses for students. For enrollment and registration
forms, BCPS staff may visit the Online
Courses for Students website.
Are
you ready for online learning?
- Online
Learning Essentials - This web-based set
of readings and tasks are designed to orient a new
online learner to the online learning environment.
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Use
the Accessing
Online Courses link below to access the portal
page to all BCPS online course sites for students who have
completed the registration process at the local school.
Note:
Access is only available to students who have completed the
BCPS registration process at the local school. For information
about registering for an online course, contact the school
counselor.
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