eCP Program Information


General Program Expectations

Currently serving students in grades 3-9, the Southwest School is committed to providing students with a dynamic, quality education.

Based on decades of education research and wrapped with rich, engaging content, the K¹² curriculum program used by Southwest Schools turns minds on through learning approaches that let kids find the pace and learning style that works best for them.

Families enrolled in the Southwest School receive:

  • The award-winning K¹² curriculum
  • A loaner computer with printer and Internet access, as well as reimbursement for the cost of the ISP
  • Access to state-certificated teachers for advice, guidance, and management
  • Thorough lesson plans with step-by-step instructions
  • Assessment tools and guidance for state exams
  • Textbooks, workbooks, and materials that ensure a rich and varied experience
  • Planned school outings and community events
  • Regular education showcases and events for parents
  • Access to an online parent support network

Time Commitment and Rigor of Online Courses

It is important to understand the level of participation required in an online course. Southwest School's online courses are at least as rigorous as courses taught in a traditional classroom. The Southwest School's eCP monitors student participation and progress carefully. In addition, all students in grades 3-9 must be enrolled full time.

Educational Program Participation Expectations

All Grades 3-9 students must be enrolled full-time.

It is important for students, parents, and others who may be unfamiliar with online courses to understand the level of participation required in an online course. Southwest School’s online courses are of at least equivalent rigor as Southwest School’s courses taught in a traditional classroom. The Southwest School’s CP program monitors student participation and progress carefully. To ensure students and parents understand the ongoing time and effort students can expect to invest to complete a course, please review the following:

Elementary School Grades

Grades 3-5 Full-Time Participation: The minimum participation expectation for students in elementary Grades 3 through 5 enrolled full-time in the eCP will be an average of six (6) hours per day; thirty (30) hours per week. It is expected that the student will spend a minimum of one quarter of this course participation time online.

Grades 3-5 Participation Per Course: The minimum participation expectation for students in Grades 3 through 5 per eCP course is one (1) hour per day; five hours per week with the exception of Science, Social Studies, Music, Art, and Health courses, which are held twice per week. It is expected that the student will spend a minimum of one quarter of this course participation time online.

Middle School Grades
Grades 6-8 Full-Time Participation: The minimum participation expectation for students in Grades 6 through 8 enrolled full-time in the eCP will be an average of six (6) hours per day; thirty (30) hours per week. It is expected that the student will spend a minimum of one half of this course participation time online.

Grades 6-8 Participation Per Course: The minimum participation expectation for students in Grades 6 through 8 per eCP course is one (1) hour per day; five hours per week. It is expected that the student will spend a minimum of one half of this course participation time online.

Grade 9 Full-Time Participation: The minimum participation expectation for students in Grade 9 enrolled full-time in the eCP will be an average of six (6) hours per day; thirty (30) hours per week. It is expected that the student will spend a minimum of three-fourths (3/4) of this course participation time online.

Grade 9 Participation Per Course: The minimum participation expectation for students in Grade 9 per eCP course is one (1) hour per day; five hours per week. It is expected that the student will spend a minimum of three fourths (3/4) of this course participation time online.

Important Note: Not all courses compare equally in terms of number of lessons, duration of instruction and required assignments. The participation descriptions have been averaged. While these baselines are minimums, it is anticipated that some courses may require higher levels of participation resulting in more online and offline time per day and per week.

The expected time for participation in eCP courses refers to the minimum time the student can anticipate participating in the daily eCP instructional activities, which are equivalent to the instructional activities that take place in a traditional classroom. As in a course taken in a traditional classroom setting, the student should expect to spend the necessary additional time completing homework assignments, studying, etc.


Teaching Model


Teacher Responsibilities

Southwest School teachers are expected to interact with families on a regular basis during

  • Monthly progress meetings
  • Parent/teacher workshops
  • Teacher-guided outings
  • Regularly scheduled tutoring and office hour session in the teachers’ online classrooms
  • Daily e-mail questions to students

Minimum teacher qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree
  • 3+ years of teaching experience, or the equivalent
  • Shared view of the school's mission
  • Strong content and subject-matter knowledge
  • Appropriate state certification
  • An ability to support and guide adults, as well as students
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Organization and time-management skills
  • Proficiency in Excel, Word, and Outlook, and experience using these programs in a professional capacity
  • A firm understanding of how best practices from a regular classroom can be applied to our innovative model

Minimum Teacher Training:

Southwest School teachers will receive no less than 8 hours of training per month. The training will target skills particular to fostering learning and academic success for young children in a virtual environment. The training will include, but is not limited to, technology skills needed to effectively use Internet browsers, email applications, synchronous and asynchronous tools such as discussion boards, chat tools, electronic whiteboards, etc., and technology skills needed to effectively use subject-specific and developmentally appropriate software. Particular emphasis will be given to effectively using the Online School curriculum and support features that enhance learning.

Communicating with Teachers

Teachers will be available to students and their families from 8 am to 5 pm every school day (as defined by the school calendar for Southwest Schools) to answer questions, address issues, and provide support. Students and families may also schedule time with their teacher outside of these dedicated times.

Teachers are expected to respond to any issues by phone or e-mail within 24 hours. The average student/teacher ratio is 50:1.

Students are required to maintain daily contact with their teacher for each instructional day of their personal school calendar. The teacher will additionally schedule biweekly conferences with each family to discuss progress, learning strategies, and instructional goals. The student may be an active participant in all or part of these conferences.

Parents play the leading role in day-to-day lesson discussion and time management. Direct parental participation can range from 80 percent for early grades to about 50 percent for higher grades. Each student can expect to be actively engaged in the instructional online courses an average of six hours per day.


Is Online Learning Right for Me?

Assessment

Southwest Schools' student assessment includes:

  • K¹² lesson, unit, and semester assessments
  • Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS)
  • Course completion exams in science, social studies, math and English

Benchmarks

Southwest School will use released versions of the TAKS examination for periodic benchmarking. Additional diagnostic data will be gathered from Study Island and from Dibels.