Any Public School Districts and Charter Schools That Meet the Following Criteria and Agree
Terms of Participation
ElectroniC Course Pilot
General Information
Through the Agency’s Electronic Course Pilot (eCP), districts and open-enrollment charters selected to participate in the program will be given the opportunity to provide online learning options to grades 3-8 public school students who are not required to be physically present on campus during instruction. The pilot will also allow the Agency to examine a new Foundation School Program (FSP) funding model that supports quality online learning, is appropriate to the online learning environment, and has the potential to scale for use statewide.
The eCP is not a grant program; schools selected for participation are eligible to earn FSP funding for students enrolled in electronic courses through the eCP.
Based upon the maximum number of students approved by TEA to be served through the eCP, a fee of$150 per student, with a minimum of $3,000 from each district and charter school selected for participation in the 2008-2009 eCP, will be due to TEA upon final signature of the eCP Contract. Payments may be paid quarterly. The first quarterly payment shall be paid at the time of final signature of the eCP Participation Contract. The fee will be used to partially offset the cost to TEA of administering the eCP.
Students may participate in electronic eCP courses from a location other than the school campus (virtual setting) or may combine regular program courses taught in a traditional face to face classroom and electronic eCP courses taught in a virtual setting. Grades 3-8 students must be enrolled in a Texas public school district or open-enrollment charter as a full-time student.
Funding for students in grades 3-8 course who participate in the eCP will generate funding from the Foundation School Program (FSP) upon successful course completion.* The course must cover an instructional program equivalent to a full year of instruction that incorporates the required elementary or secondary curriculum typically taught by a teacher over the course of a full school year or the equivalent of 180 days of instruction. The course must be aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and meet the curriculum requirements set forth in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), §§74.2 and/or 74.3(a). In accordance with the Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.021, each student must demonstrate academic achievement or proficiency of the subject matter sufficient for promotion to the next grade level.
A student who successfully completes the required elementary or secondary curriculum will generate funding based on the rate established in the eCP Terms of Participation for one student in average daily attendance (ADA).
If an eCP campus/program does not meet or exceed the state average passing rate of Met Standard for all applicable tests taken per appropriate grade level as required by law (See B.7.) for the first year of participation, the eCP campus/program total funding will be reduced** by the current year calculated difference*** or five (5) percent, whichever is the lesser of the two percentages.
If an eCP campus/program does not meet or exceed the state average passing rate of Met Standard for all applicable tests taken per appropriate grade level as required by law (See B.7.) for the second year of participation or beyond, the eCP campus/program total funding will be reduced** by the current year calculated difference*** or by increasing increments of five (5) percent per year of participation in the program, whichever is the lesser of the two percentages.
If the eCP campus/program average passing rate for TAKS meets or exceeds the state average passing rate, no funding reduction will be assessed.
Students whose documented participation* can be verified upon request, who do not meet the criteria for successful course completion, and are served for a minimum of 25 days within a 40 day period will generate only 15% of the total entitlement per student.
Students who are served for less than a minimum of 25 days within a 40 day period will not generate any funding.
School districts may include in the eCP only those grades 3-8 Texas public school students who are enrolled in their school, reside within their school district boundaries, and whom they are already authorized to serve consistent with state law and the eCP Terms of Participation, unless there is a written agreement with the student’s home district (independent school district of residence).
Open-enrollment charters may include in the eCP only those grades 3-8 Texas public school students who are enrolled in their school, reside within the existing boundaries of the charter school geographic service area, and whom they are already authorized to serve consistent with state law and the eCP Terms of Participation.
Students enrolled in the eCP at a charter school will be counted toward the school’s enrollment cap. Charter schools may not exceed or increase their enrollment cap or geographic service area to serve more students than they are already authorized to serve according to their existing charter limitations, for purposes of participation in the eCP.
The Commissioner may limit or specify the number of students allowed to participate in the eCP.
All eCP participants shall be included in the state’s accountability system and all accountability measures shall apply unless otherwise approved by TEA.
Selection for participation is limited to the time covered by the eCP Contract. The eCP instructional year will end the last day of July. All eCP participants are required to continue to participate in eCP data gathering activities, program studies, requests for information, and to provide any requested supporting documents until the TEA has completed its final evaluation, audit, and report.
Failure to comply with all eCP Terms of Participation and the final eCP Contract, or failure to submit all requested information requested as part of the pilot in the format and by the dates and times specified by TEA may result in termination of participation and the necessity to relinquish through a “settle-up” process funds already paid.
*See the Definitions section of the eCP Terms of Participation for definitions of course, electronic eCP course, student participation, and successful course completion.
**Funding reduction based on students meeting the successful course completion requirement.
***Current year calculated difference: the difference between the eCP campus/program average passing rate of Met Standard for all applicable tests taken per appropriate grade level and the state average passing rate of Met Standard for all applicable tests taken per appropriate grade level.
August 2008Page 1 of 17 Attachment A/Enclosure #2
DEFINITIONS
Attendance: A student is considered to be in attendance in an electronic eCP course for the day based on verification of their participation in the day’s instructional activities and coursework.
Course:
Grades 3-8: The program of instruction covering the required elementary or secondary curriculum typically taught by a teacher over the course of a full school year or the equivalent of 180 days of instruction, conforming to the provisions of 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), §74.2 and/or §74.3(a), Curriculum Requirements and aligned with the state curriculum framework, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for which each student must, per Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.021, demonstrate academic achievement or proficiency of the subject matter sufficient for promotion to the next grade level.
Electronic eCP Course: Electronic eCP course means an educational program or course in which instruction and content are delivered primarily over the Internet, a student and teacher are in different locations for a majority of the student’s instructional period, most instructional activities take place in an online environment, the online instructional activities are integral to the academic program, extensive communication between a student and a teacher and among students is emphasized, and a student participating in the eCP is not required to be located on the physical premises of a school district or open-enrollment charter school.
Enrollment: A student is considered to be enrolled when they begin actually receiving instruction, actively engaging in instructional activities, and participating in an electronic eCP course, as opposed to being registered prior to receiving instruction.
Individual Student’s Instructional Calendar: The calendar based on the equivalent of 180 days of instruction defining days of instruction, assessments, holidays, semester breaks, etc. for one individual student. An individual instructional calendar is required for each student.
Instructional (or School Year) Calendar: The calendar based on the equivalent of 180 days of instruction, defining days of instruction, assessments, holidays, semester breaks, etc., used by the program participant site for its eCP program or campus.
Student Participation: A student is considered to be participating in an electronic eCP course based on documented verification of their active engagement in instructional activities, assignments, coursework, and assessments.
Successful Course Completion: A student whose documented participation in the instructional activities, assignments, coursework and assessments of the course**** verifies that the student has demonstrated academic achievement or proficiency earning a minimum passing grade of 70% for the course, sufficient for promotion to the next 3-8 grade.
****Grades 3-8: The program of instruction covering the required elementary or secondary curriculum typically taught by a teacher over the course of a full school year or the equivalent of 180 days of instruction, conforming to the provisions of 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), §74.2 and/or §74.3(a), Curriculum Requirements and aligned with the state curriculum framework, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for which each student must, per Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.021, demonstrate academic achievement or proficiency of the subject matter sufficient for promotion to the next grade level.
Electronic Course Pilot
Terms of Participation
A. Eligibility Criteria for Participation in the eCP
A.
/Any Texas public school district and open-enrollment charter school that meets the following criteria, provides information as requested in the eCP Application per the rules of submission and by the deadline, and agrees to the following Terms of Participation are eligible for consideration for participation in the eCP;
A.1.
/The number of districts and charter schools that may participate in the eCP shall be determined by the Commissioner of Education;
A.2.
/ An annual fee of$150 per eCP student with a minimum of $3,000 from each district and charter school selected for participation in the eCP will be due to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) upon final signature of the eCP Contract and may be paid quarterly. The first quarterly payment shall be paid at the time of final signature of the eCP Contract.A.3. / To the extent possible, the Commissioner will permit the participation of rural and urban districts with a higher than average:
A.3.a. / Number of at risk students as determined by the Commissioner;
A.3.b. / Dropout rate, or;
A.3.c. / Population of underserved gifted and talented students, as determined by the Commissioner.
A.4. / A district or charter school eligible to apply to participate in the eCP must:
A.4.a. / Have completed the planning and preparations necessary to, upon acceptance into the eCP, implement an electronic course program that conforms to the eCP Terms of Participation and final eCP Contract, and allows for the start and completion of courses during the 2008-2009 eCP instructional year.
A.4.b. / Complete and submit all attached schedules and required documents in both print format and in electronic format (via disc) to TEA as specified in the eCP application to participate between September 2, 2008 and October 10, 2008 and according to the specifications set forth in the eCP Application.
A.4.c.
/ As applicable, have a current accreditation status of Accredited; be rated Academically Acceptable or higherunder standard procedures or be rated AEA: Academically Acceptable under alternative education accountability (AEA) procedures (TEC §39.072.Accreditation Standards); be rated at the Standard Achievement level or above under the state Financial Accountability rating procedures; be in good standing with other programs, grants, and projects administered through TEA; and have met statutory requirements for timely submission of annual audit and compliance reports, PEIMS reports, and timely deposits with the Teacher Retirement System and Internal Revenue Service. Participants that have previously participated in Agency programs or received grants from TEA to conduct special projects must have a positive record in successfully managing the program in accordance with program requirements in order to be considered for participation.(All rules for the eCP as well as rules of any other program are applicable).
B. General Participation Requirements for Successful Applicants Selected for Participation in the eCP
B. / Districts and open-enrollment charter schools that are accepted into the eCP must:B.1. / Ensure that the availability of electronic eCP courses is communicated to all eligible students. Students cannot be denied participation based on ability, language, disability, socio-economic status, or access to or familiarity with technology required for the completion of the courses;
B.2. / Publish on the district’s or charter school’s Internet web site all Informed Choice Report information included in TEC §29.909 (4)(f)in the format specified by TEA, no later than two weeks following receipt of Informed Choice Report Web format from TEA;
B.3. / Verify the identity and eligibility of each student taking an electronic eCP course. A student is not eligible to participate in the eCP if they already earn full state funding based on attendance in a traditional setting; are a private school student; are enrolled in more than one school district or charter school;
B.4. / Notify students in writing of their acceptance to participate in the eCP after the student’s application and student file have been received and reviewed by appropriate campus staff;
B.5. / Provide frequent, ongoing monitoring to ensure and verify that each student is participating in the instructional program as stated in the instructional plan and course expectations in the eCP Contract and that the student is making satisfactory progress in their coursework, equivalent to the performance standards held for students who attend the regular program;
B.6. / In addition to PEIMS data for all students participating in the eCP, provide to TEA, in an electronic format, data including but not limited to the following:
B.6.a. / Individual Instructional Calendar for each student;
B.6.b. / Student’s Add/ Drop course information;
B.6.c. / Verification of ongoing student attendance in the course, as documented by the student’s participation in instructional activities and coursework, interaction with the teacher and other students, etc.;
B.6.d. / Verification of ongoing student progress and performance in each course, as documented by examples of student coursework that illustrate student’s understanding of course content; results of ongoing assessments, etc.;
B.6.e. / Student completion rates;
B.6.f. / Verification of successful course completion;
B.6.g. / Verification of eligibility for promotion to the next grade;
B.6.h. / A contingency plan for the continuation of instructional services to each eCP student sufficient to allow them to complete their electronic eCP course(s) in the event that the contract or agreement through which an electronic eCP course is provided is terminated, or an electronic eCP course is no longer available to the student;
B.6.i. / Other data as required elsewhere in the Terms of Participation, eCP Contract and in the Informed Choice Report; and
B.6.j. / Other data as requested by TEA as the eCP progresses;
B.7. / Administer the statewide student assessment instrument as required by state law, Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), which includes TAKS (Accommodated) for students receiving special education services, and follow all rules associated with the Student Success Initiative (SSI) Grade Advancement Requirements; the TAKS-Modified (TAKS-M) or TAKS-Alternate (TAKS Alt); the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS); to all students participating in the eCP according to the standard administration schedule.
B.8. / Administer ongoing assessments and document student’s performance on each assessment;
B.9. / Provide descriptions, passing standards, and scoring procedures for ongoing assessments used to verify student’s progress through content of course;
B.10. / Allow access to proctored test administrations by any personnel or agent of the Agency, or the eCP evaluator;
B.11. / Ensure the ongoing security of all data and ensure that all data is accessible in an electronic format to TEA, in accordance with the Terms of Participation;
B.12. / Participate in focus groups held at TEA;
B.13. / Complete the student instructional year in the eCP no later than last day of July and continue to participate in eCP data gathering activities, program studies, requests for information, and to provide any requested supporting documents until the TEA has completed its final evaluation, audit, and report.
B.14. / School districts participating in the eCP must ensure that students they serve through the eCP, per a written agreement with another district, who are enrolled in a public school district other than their home district (independent school district of residence)are entered into STS as a transfer student;
B.15. / If the student’s home district will provide one or more traditional (regular program) courses to the student enrolled in a public school district participating in the eCP, this must be clearly indicated in the written agreement between the districts with the courses identified by PEIMS name and PEIMS number. The written agreement must also specify that the home district is required to document the student’s daily attendance in traditional courses but must NOT record it in PEIMS. Instead, the home district must provide this documentation electronically to the eCP district so that the eCP district can enter the student data and submit the necessary attendance documentation to TEA through the special eCP attendance reporting and funding request process in order to receive state funding;
B.16. / School districts may include in the eCP only those grades 3-8 Texas public school students who are enrolled in their school, reside within their school district boundaries, and whom they are already authorized to serve consistent with state law and the eCP Terms of Participation, unless there is a written agreement with the student’s home district (independent school district of residence)
B.17. / Open-enrollment charters may include in the eCP only those grades 3-8 Texas public school students who are enrolled in their school, reside within the existing boundaries of the charter school geographic service area, and whom they are already authorized to serve consistent with state law and the eCP Terms of Participation.
B.18. / Students enrolled in the eCP program at a charter school will be counted toward the school’s enrollment cap. Charter schools may not exceed or increase their enrollment cap or geographic service area to serve more students than they are already authorized to serve according to their existing charter limitations;
B.19. / The Commissioner may further limit or specify the number of students allowed to participate in the eCP.
C. Additional General Participation Requirements for Open-Enrollment Charter Schools