VIRTUAL ONLINE COURSE REQUIREMENT

Instructions

Students entering ninth grade beginning in 2011–12, who are pursuing the 24-credit standard diploma, are required to complete and pass an online course as part of their graduation requirements. Students may meet this requirement by completing an online high school course offered by:  Florida Virtual School (FLVS)  A district high school franchise (LCVS)  A postsecondary school as an online dual enrollment course  District virtual instruction programs. In addition, the online course needs to be taught by a qualified, Florida-certified instructor.

If a student successfully completes half of a full credit online class, does that mean that the student has met the graduation requirement? No. The law specifies that one course within the 24 credits must be completed through online learning. Therefore, the student must complete a course. If it is a 1 credit, year-long course, then the student must earn the full credit to meet the graduation requirement. The current HOPE Class at South Lake High School DOES meet the ONLINE Course Requirement IF the student passes the FULL credit.

Are there exceptions for meeting this requirement? Yes, there are two exceptions. The first is for students with disabilities whose IEP indicates that an online course is inappropriate. The second exception is for students who transfer into a Florida public high school who have less than a year left in high school.

Should I choose Lake County Virtual School or Florida Virtual School?

During the academic calendar year, students are encouraged to take courses through Lake County Virtual School (LCVS). This enables students to have certified Lake County teachers. During the summer, students will need to take courses through FLVS.

Sign Up Process:

Go to to sign up for an account.Click “sign up” - Select “New Students Start Here” - Select I live in Florida, Lake, public /charter school; Verify information and hit “Save and Continue” at bottom of page - Select Orange button “Browse Course Catalog” – Select course - Select segments you want to take.

LCVS Option - At bottom of page go to “Select a District Franchise - Choose Lake County Virtual School.

FLVS Option - Select the Florida Virtual School option.

Once virtual school has received the course request, they will send a “Counselor Verification Request” to the School Counselor of record (the student will have chosen a counselor when they signed up). Most requests will be automatically approved by your School Counselor. If the counselor sees a discrepancy (perhaps student is taking math classes out of progression) the counselor will contact the student or parent for further inquiry.

Students have up to 14 days to drop the course (please visit FLVS for specific withdrawal information)

Once the class has been approved, the virtual teacher will contact the student & parent to schedule an introductory phone conference. *Please note that if you have not heard from a Virtual Teacher within two weeks of making the course request, please contact FLVS/LCVS or your School Counselor.

Student’s Responsibilities include:

It is the student’s responsibility, not the School Counselor’s, to monitor the completion of all course work and the selection of classes.

Students taking a course that requiresan EOC (Algebra 1, Geometry, Biology, Algebra 2 and US History) MUST contact the District Testing Office at 352-483-9200 to be sure their name is added to the EOC Registration List.

If students drop an online class, it is their responsibility to inform their counselor of the change through written notice.

If students are graduating in this academic year, they are required to have their online courses completed two weeks prior to graduation.

ALL virtual courses become part of the student’s official transcript.