Taylor School District

State School Aid Act- Section 21f 
Expanded Online Learning Opportunities

The State of Michigan under Section 21f of the State School Aid has expanded educational options for students so that parents can request to have their student(s), in grades 6-12, be enrolled in no more than two (2) online courses in place of a traditional course. The Section 21f option will be available starting second semester of the 2014-15 school year. Taylor Public Schools supports online learning and has been implementing online opportunities for students with unique learning situations over recent years.

The District has a long history of providing our students with an exceptional education and one in which students graduate prepared for the rigors of college and the world of work. We pride ourselves on adapting our educational strategies as necessary to meet the needs of our students in this changing world. We embrace the innovative technologies which aid us in teaching our students and supporting their learning. We also have the responsibility to caution parents before choosing an online option for their student. 

It is imperative that parents assess whether or not an online course is ideal for their child given the non-traditional setting and lack of face-to-face classroom instruction and support. In exploring the research and looking at experiences of other online learners, it should be pointed out that not all students are well-suited for this style of learning. Parents should carefully consider the unique qualities of their child when considering if an online class is right.  Additional information is contained with the parent Guide to Online Learning for them. These factors include:

• Can your student create and maintain a study schedule without face-to-face interaction of a teacher?
•  Can your student self-advocate in order to seek help within a virtual setting?
•  Does your student possess the independent study habits needed to complete an entire course online without direct supervision?
• Does your student have the reading, writing, math, and computer literacy skills to succeed in a class that is completely online?

It is important to note that this option is limited to those courses made available within the State online course catalog. While all of these classes have been reviewed by the State, not all of them contain the rigor of the curriculum at Taylor Public Schools. As such, all courses are subject to administrative approval and note that courses have limited class sizes so students are not guaranteed a seat.

Should you choose to enroll your child in online courses, please be advised of the conditions listed below:

1. The highly qualified teacher providing the content for the course will only be available remotely via email or possibly phone and will not be a District employee.
2. The student will be required to work independently outside of the traditional classroom setting.
3. District personnel will not be providing instructional support for the online class.
4. The student will be required to check in regularly with their school assigned mentor.
5. A letter grade which figures into the student’s grade point average will not be awarded for successful completion of the course; instead students are awarded a pass/fail grade.
6. Once enrolled in an online class, students may not withdraw from the online course to enroll in a different online class or a course in their home school.
7. The student must complete the online course on or before the last day of the semester in which they are enrolled.

To enroll your student in a course, you and your student need to complete the Parent/Student Contract and the Enrollment Form found below. The completed forms need to be returned to your student’s school counselor.

Please contact your student’s principal or guidance counselor if you have any questions.