EMMA ROUTLEY/PHOTO ILLUSTRATION“Dry-erase” boards in a living room might become more common as students participate in a variety of online schooling.
As schools prepare for Comprehensive Distance Learning, it can be difficult for parents to research and understand the differences between CDL and other online schooling options provided by the districts.
These online schooling options, which differ from district to district, include Creswell Online Academy, South Lane Online (SoLO) and SPS (Springfield Public Schools) Online. These programs are separate from the traditional K-12 schooling, although they are provided by the same district.
The programs are designed for students and families who prefer and are willing to work independently, have concerns about returning to “brick-and-mortar” buildings, have home internet access and appropriate technology.
Creswell described the characteristics of students who would thrive in the Creswell Online Academy setting as: independent, active learners, self-starters, highly motivated, organized and can manage time wisely, needs limited external reminders, self-disciplined, self-advocates and learns with limited support.
This option may not be suited for all students, however. CDL would make sense for students who need social connection, teacher relationships, collaboration, adult supervised environment, frequent feedback, scaffolded instruction, structure and accountability and community of learners, according to the Creswell School District.
With these programs being different from CDL, SoLO is asking for a one-year commitment to work entirely online.
They will work with South Lane School District staff for remote weekly check-ins, and students can engage in electives along with the benchmarks. Students will be held to the same attendance requirements and must make progress every scheduled school day. SoLO will partner with Accelerate for their online curriculum program.
Similarly, SPS Online works with Fuel Education and will assign students to a teacher/mentor who will monitor their progress and be the student’s main point of contact.
