Virtual Learning in Parkway

  • Because virtual instruction can be an effective education option for some students, the Parkway School District offers students in Grades K-12 with district-provided and district-sponsored virtual courses through district staff or by contracting for those services as part of the district-sponsored curriculum. In addition, eligible students may enroll in virtual courses offered through the Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP). The district will accept all grades and credits earned through district-sponsored virtual instruction and MOCAP.  

    The Parkway School District has partnered with the LAUNCH program for MOCAP approved virtual education options. Please see the following website for further information and course lists. https://fueledbylaunch.com/

    The district will pay the costs of a virtual course only if the district has first approved the student's enrollment in the course as described in this policy.  Board Policy IGCD.BP - Virtual Instruction  Students are eligible to enroll in MOCAP approved virtual courses if they have attended the previous semester in the Parkway School District or other Missouri public/charter schools and have enrolled during the defined enrollment period.  The enrollment period is defined as anytime prior to the start of the semester or during the 10 day schedule change period immediately following the start of the semester.

    Even if a student or his or her parents/guardians pay the costs for a virtual course, the student or parents/guardians should meet with the principal or designee prior to enrollment to ensure that the course is consistent with the student's academic and personal goals.

    The district is not required to provide students access to or pay for courses beyond the equivalent of full-time enrollment. The district will provide supervision for students who take virtual courses in district facilities, but will not provide supervision for students taking virtual courses offsite.

    Students taking courses virtually are subject to district policies, procedures and rules applicable to students enrolled in traditional courses including, but not limited to, the district's discipline code and prohibitions on academic dishonesty, discrimination, harassment, bullying and cyberbullying.

    Virtual Education Information & Requirements 

    • Student Skills Necessary for Success in Virtual Courses: 
      • Student has demonstrated time-management skills that indicate the student is capable of submitting assignment and completing course requirements without reminders
      • Student has demonstrated persistence in overcoming obstacles and willingness to seek assistance when needed.
      • Student has demonstrated verbal or written communication skills that would allow the student to succeed in an environment where the instructor may not provide nonverbal cues to support the student’s understanding.
      • Student has the necessary computer or technical skills to succeed in a virtual course.
      • Student has access to technology resources to participate in a virtual course.
      • Consideration of the student’s previous success (or struggle) in virtual coursework.

    A student or parent/guardian must receive district approval before the student may enroll in virtual courses provided by or paid for by the district or through MOCAP. Enrollment in courses offered through MOCAP may be denied only if the principal or designee, in consultation with the student's parents/guardians and relevant staff, determines that it is not in the student's best educational interest to enroll in the course. The principal or designee will consider available opportunities for in-person instruction and the student's prior participation in virtual courses when making this decision.

    See below for available virtual options:

    Single Course Virtual Learning Options (Grades 6-12)

    The following single course virtual learning options are currently available to students in grades 6-12:

    • Asynchronous specialty virtual courses through St. Louis Virtual Campus.  Students can enroll in these courses by working directly with their Parkway high school counselor.
    • Single, asynchronous virtual courses through Launch, Parkway's preferred third-party online vendor.
    • Single, asynchronous virtual courses through the Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP)
    • Families must submit the online application within the stated district enrollment periods.
    • While MOCAP vendors may allow students to enroll at other points, enrollment in virtual courses must occur at the same as Parkway student enrollment for all courses.
    • Students requesting Missouri Course Access (MOCAP) courses must do so within the district enrollment period, which ends 10-days after the start of each semester. Students requesting a course after the enrollment period will result in a denial of the request since it does not align with enrollment windows for all students. This denial is regardless of whether or not the vendor states they can accommodate your child.
    • The student may be approved to enroll in the same course during the following semester's enrollment period.

     

    Full-Time Virtual Learning Options

    The following full-time, asynchronous virtual learning options are currently available for students in grades K-12:

    • MOCAP through a Hosted Provider (student enrolls in host district)
    • MOCAP through a Non-Hosted Provider (student remains enrolled in Parkway)

     

    Resources

    DESE's MOCAP Guidance Document

    District-Provided and District-Sponsored Course Offerings (as included in high school course guides)

    Parkway School District Virtual Learning Board Policy (IGCD.BP) 

    Parkway Schools Virtual Learning Enrollment Guide

    Questions?

    For any questions regarding virtual learning in Parkway, please contact Dr. Jennifer Stanfill at jstanfill@parkwayschools.net or (314) 415-8450.