The ‘Virtual Option’: Schools Prepare For Potential Snow Days

With winter weather on its way, school officials in Indiana are surely preparing for whatever Mother Nature has to throw their way (remember last year?)

Kyle Stokes / StateImpact Indiana

Rather than make up snow days after the fact, the IDOE offers districs the option to provide virtual instruction while students are home from school.

One district sounds like they’ve got it all figured out. In the event of a snow day or other weather-related closing, students in the Twin Lakes School Corporation in Monticello will be able to complete their classwork online.

School officials announced on the district’s Facebook page earlier this week that the Indiana Department of Education approved its application to hold “eLearning Days” to replace traditional snow make-up days:

In the event of a cancellation, students will receive eLearning materials and will access their learning resources through the school’s website,tlschools.com, and through TLCampus, tlcampus.com. Teachers and technology staff will be available throughout eLearning days to assist students with questions.

In order to accommodate anyone experiencing technical difficulties during an eLearning day, classwork will be due two days after classes resume on the normal schedule.

School closings occurring after December 8 may be used as eLearning days.

The Department of Education implemented this virtual option during the polar vortex of the 2013-14 school year, and about 40 schools took advantage. According to the IDOE website, the option can be used in two ways: on a make-up day (to provide for students that might have difficulty learning outside of the building, i.e. internet access or special need accommodations), or on an inclement weather day.

Districts may only exercise the latter if special considerations for all students can be addressed and met away from the building.

“We do realize that each of our districts are unique and will have their own set of challenges with the Virtual Option,” it says on the IDOE website. “However, as evidenced last year, each district, their families, and their communities will have their own strategies for meeting those challenges. To honor those strategies, while still ensuring learning is happening for ALL students, certain criteria has been established and MUST be met by the district/school.”

Among those criteria:

• The district must be able to prove all students and teachers have the ability to access the internet when they are away from the school building.
• All students and teachers must have experience using digital learning platforms.
• The district will inform students about their learning targets by 9 a.m.
• Parents and students will have the ability to reach teachers for help and questions throughout the “virtual” learning day.

In order to utilize the Virtual Option, district officials must complete an online application and receive approval from the Office of eLearning.

We’ve reported on this option before – but upon discovering Twin Lakes’ announcement, State Board of Education member Brad Oliver seemed confused:

When did #INSBOE give approval to make eLearning days a tool for districts to avoid snow make up? @EducateIN @IndianaCECI #180DaysofSchool

— Dr. Brad Oliver (@drbradoliver) November 14, 2014

Who needs #INSBOE when @EducateIN is writing its own ed policy. eLearning Day application has been approved? Huh? https://t.co/PXFPMT6Shs

— Dr. Brad Oliver (@drbradoliver) November 14, 2014

According to Indiana state code, schools are required to conduct at least 180 instructional days per school year, defined as “time in which students are participating in an approved course, curriculum or educationally related activity under the direction of a teacher.” eLearning days could feasibly be considered an “educationally related activity” as defined in code language.

It looks like state code also says the IDOE has the ability to grant waivers regarding instructional time; the State Board’s role in making those decisions is limited to reviewing appeals on those waivers.

The board disagreed with Superintendent Glenda Ritz’s decision to let schools off the hook for making up instructional days due to weather last year. According to minutes from the board’s meeting this past January, it was board member Cari Whicker who actually suggested using electronic days in the future.

Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia also offer local school districts e-learning options for snow days.