Welcome to Spring Registration! Registration is easy, follow these simple steps:
- Talk with you parents and counselor to decide if online learning is right for you and to determine what course or courses you need to take. Look over the Spring Course Catalog for more information about the courses that are available.
- Read the information below about the requirements and responsibilities of online learning. Before signing up be sure you are aware of the time commitments required to be successful in online classes. Online learning is not easier than your regular classroom courses, it is different.
- Go to the registration page and complete the registration form.
- After completing your registration form PRINT it before submitting the form.
- After you have printed your registration form click submit to send in your registration.
- Sign your printed form, have your parent or guardian sign your form and take the form to your counselor. Your counselor will sign your form and register you in your online class.
- In January or February you will need to attend an orientation and then you will get your account information and you can beginning working. Classes begin January 31, 2012.
PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW ABOUT WHETHER ONLINE LEARNING IS FOR YOU...
Online learning is not for everyone. One of the misconceptions that students have is that online learning is an easier route. Online learning is a more flexible route, but it is not easier. You will be required to maintain weekly contact with your instructor. You will also be required to make weekly progress in ALL of your courses. If you fail to make progress you will be dropped from the course. If you are dropped, due to lack of progress, you are not guaranteed a seat at your home school, to complete the course.
You must also be able to allocate enough time to complete your coursework. This is a challenge for a lot of students. Students think that since they do not have to show up for a class, that they can put their work off. This always leads to students falling behind in the courses.
You must be honest with yourself. If you are not self-motivated, then this is not the place for you. Students are responsible for their own learning. If you are not disciplined enough to do your homework on your own then online learning is not for you, and you will fall behind in your classes and will have to make them up at a later time.
Look at the statements below and answer them honestly. If you answer no to any of them, you might reconsider if this will work for you.
Technical Competencies and Access
Taking into consideration my personal, academic, work and extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, etc.), will I be able to devote as much or more time to my online class, as I do for my traditional studies?
Am I comfortable using the Internet as a means of communication and research?
Do I own or have consistent access to a computer with Internet access and email?
Do I understand how to use word processing programs and understand the basics of computer applications such as copy, paste and how to save files from the internet.
Learning Styles
I am not afraid to seek out help from teachers.
I am able to prioritize tasks, organize assignments and complete assigned work within a deadline.
Are my writing, reading and communication abilities above average?
I prefer to work alone on assignments.
I learn best when I read the directions, rather than an instructor lecturing and giving verbal explanations.
I consider class discussions with my classmates as optional or not important to me
PLEASE READ THESE OTHER IMPORTANT EXPECTATIONS AND THE STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING ABOUT BEING A SUCCESSFUL ONLINE STUDENT ...
Students Have a Trial Period ENDING 2/24
Participating in TVL is a unique opportunity and a privilege. TVL is an ideal environment for a motivated learner who seeks the independence of completing coursework that runs “parallel” with the Tacoma Public Schools high school curriculum. TVL, though, is not an appropriate match for all students. Therefore, a trial period (three weeks) is established each semester to assess a student’s ability and desire to complete TVL coursework.
For TVL to be viewed as a good match for students, they must maintain Weekly Contact with their instructor and participate regularly in coursework.
Students who meet our participation standards during the trial period will be invited to continue with TVL. For students who do not meet the standards outlined below, they may withdraw from TVL without penalty.
Students who continue in TVL after the trial period will be fully vested in their courses of study. In general, a student who withdraws or is dropped from a TVL course after the Trial period and does not enroll in the same course in his or her home school will receive a failing semester grade.
Please note: Students who withdraw from TVL courses cannot be guaranteed there will be room for placement in courses in their home schools.
Students Must Maintain Weekly Contact
According to Washington State law, students must have weekly personal contact with their instructors. Direct personal contact shall be for the purposes of instruction, review of assignments, testing, reporting of student progress, or other learning activities.
Students are responsible to maintain contact a minimum of once a week. This is a course requirement.
In Tacoma Virtual Learning, student-maintained personal contact is defined as follows:
- An assignment/ test/ activity posted to Blackboard
- Participation in a discussion board or chat with the instructor
- E-mail – explaining, for example, progress being made in the course or to ask a question
- Phone call to the instructor
- An e-mail or phone from a parent or a guardian to the instructor
- Instant messaging with the instructor
- Interactive video communication with the instructor
- Other means of digital communication with the instructor.
Again, maintaining weekly contact with the instructor is a basic requirement of TVL. Students who fail to do so are in noncompliance with TVL rules of participation.
Students Must Maintain Regular Progress
One of the advantages of TVL is that it allows for a flexible learning environment. Students may work on their assignments when and where they would like. At the same time, though, Washington State Law requires students to make academic progress in their online courses.
Student progress will be evaluated against progress benchmarks which are clearly defined in the course for each month. In addition to the course schedule, these benchmarks may also come in the form of lesson, unit, assignment and/or assessment completion dates. These established progress benchmarks will allow teachers and students to assess the students’ educational progress in meeting the course learning standards. At a minimum, students must turn in at least one assignment per week to maintain a status of “making monthly progress,” but will need to complete all the instructor is asking for each week in order to complete the course on time.
Students who do not meet progress and course schedule benchmarks may, at the discretion of TVL administration, be removed from the course within the trial period or placed on a more restrictive student “intervention plan” (also called a “student success plan”) for their learning, after the trial period. Any student not making progress at any point in the course for more than 21 days may be removed from the course at the discretion of TVL administration.
TVL would like to welcome all students who will to make regular academic progress in its virtual classes.
STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING
In accordance with the Alternative Learning Experience Implementation Standards, reference WAC 392-121-182 (3)(e), prior to enrollment parent(s) or guardian shall be provided with, and sign, documentation attesting to the understanding of the difference between home-based instruction and enrollment in an alternative learning experience (ALE). As the legislation states, virtual learning is an alternative learning experience. Provided below is a summary and narrative descriptions of the difference between Home-based Instruction and an ALE.
Summary Description
Home-Based Instruction
Is provided by the parent or guardian as authorized under RCW 28A.200 and 28A.225.010.
- Students are not enrolled in public education.
- Students are not subject to the rules and regulations governing public schools, including course, graduation, and assessment requirements.
- The public school is under no obligation to provide instruction or instructional materials, or otherwise supervise the student’s education.
Alternative Learning Experience
Tacoma Virtual Learning
Is authorized under WAC 392-121-182
- Students are enrolled in public education either full-time or part-time.
- Students are subject to the rules and regulations governing public school students including course, graduation, and assessment requirements for all portions of the ALE.
Learning experiences are:
- Supervised, monitored, assessed, and evaluated by certificated staff.
- Provided via a written student learning plan.
- Web-based, provided outside the regular classroom.
- Flexible, since no bell signals the beginning and ending of a class period; however, students are expected to submit assignments each week.
Part-time Enrollment of Home-Based Instruction Students
Home-based instruction students may enroll in public school programs, including virtual learning and other ALE programs, on a part-time basis and retain their home-based instruction status. In the case of part-time enrollment in ALE, the student will need to comply with the requirements of the ALE written student learning plan, but not be required to participate in state assessments or meet state graduation requirements.
If you have read and understand the information above please continue to the registration page.