The A.E.R.O. e-Learning Plan was developed in accordance with Public Act 101-0012. A local school district/cooperative's e-Learning plan must be adopted by Board resolution and the local Regional Office of Education must approve the program prior to the use of an emergency day. Public Act 101-0012 allows school districts statewide to utilize e-Learning days in lieu of emergency days and maintains flexibility for students to engage in instruction outside of the classroom.

The A.E.R.O. e-Learning Plan is designed for students with disabilities and will include activities that support student progress toward achievement of their annual goals and objectives, all while taking into consideration the health, safety, and well-being of students and staff.

We extend our appreciation to the A.E.R.O. Governing Board and the A.E.R.O. Executive Board for their ongoing support and dedication to learners with diverse abilities.

Benefits of utilizing e-Learning for emergency days:

• Ensures the safety of students and staff on days of inclement weather or health advisory closings.

• Maintains the school calendar by not adding on emergency days at the end of the school year to be made up.

• Avoid unexpected interruptions in learning and services provided to students.

• Promotes school and family collaboration on generalizing skills to the home environment.

• Promotes flexible learning in the digital age and learning beyond the school walls.

A.E.R.O. e-Learning Program Goals: 

• The A.E.R.O. e-Learning Plan is the blueprint for how a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) will be provided to A.E.R.O. students during emergency school closings.

• Utilize the Internet, digital learning platforms, electronic devices, or other similar means of electronic communication for instruction and interaction between teachers and students to meet the needs of students.

• Incorporate digital and/or print learning experiences for students. The e-Learning plan is a Combination of Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning Activities with at least 2.5 hours of synchronous learning with real-time instruction and interaction between students and their teachers.

• Ensure that learning opportunities are aligned with students’ Individual Education Program (IEP). Students who have direct related services will engage in an activity provided by the related service provider (OT, PT, Speech, etc.) on an e- Learning day.

• Provide staff and students adequate training to ensure e-Learning day participation.

• Ensure all teachers and staff who may be involved in the provision of e-Learning have access to hardware and software that may be required for the program.

• A.E.R.O. employees will provide remote learning instruction and services from their homes unless otherwise directed by the A.E.R.O. Administration.
  
  

Timelines:

• A.E.R.O. Staff will be expected to work their regular hours of 8:15am - 3:15pm. Outlying sites will be expected to work their regular hours.

• If possible, students and staff will be notified of a potential e-learning day before the end of the school day prior to a closure.

• Students will be reminded to bring home their devices (iPads and/or Chromebooks).

• By 5:30am on the day of a closure, notification is communicated to all staff and families via email, robocalls, website, and social media postings. Also, parents/guardians will be notified of an e-Learning day via School Messenger.

• By 9:00am - All lessons will be posted in Google Classroom.

• By 9:00am - All students should log on and begin working on the day’s activities.

• 9:00am-2:00pm Staff are available and supporting students using a combination of  virtual meetings and email.

• Upon returning to school, all student work from the e-Learning day must be completed and submitted to teachers.

Student Expectations

A.E.R.O. families will be expected to report student absences either via the REMIND app or by emailing the classroom teacher by 8:30am.

•  Students will be assumed present unless called in by 9:00am.

• Students can access work available by paper packet or electronically through the e-Learning website by 9:00am.

• Students should complete assignments and submit them to their teachers by the deadline communicated by the teacher.

• Students can communicate with teachers via email or other electronic applications, such as Remind App, that are in use by the specific teacher.

• Students without internet access at home can return completed work to A.E.R.O. Therapeutic Center between 9:00am and 2:00pm.

Teacher Expectations

• Teachers create electronic coursework and assignments as needed for each e- Learning day.

• Teachers will notify their direct supervisor of a parent request for paper materials and assignments. Teachers will provide via email, resources to immediate supervisors within 24 hours of parent request, to accommodate for copying and distribution.

• Assignments should be aligned to course curriculum and to students’ IEP goals.

Expectations for Education Support Personnel (ESP)

Paraprofessionals play a vital role in the daily instruction of students with IEPs. It is essential during an e-Learning day that these professionals are included in the daily learning activities of our students. A.E.R.O. paraprofessionals should work under the direction of the classroom teacher and may contribute to remote/virtual instruction in the following ways:

• Creation of non digital instructional materials

  • Example: visual schedules, reinforcement charts, sensory activities, tangible reinforcers, academic activities (For examples, see Appendix A)

• Creation of digital instructional materials

  • Example: create a video of a read-along/song for morning meeting, find digital materials that align with individual student learning plans and add to Google Classroom

• Participate as requested in synchronous learning activities as well as parent meetings

• Support the work of related service professionals assigned to the classroom

• Collect student data as directed by classroom teacher or related service staff

Related Services Provider and Educational Support Personnel Expectations

• Related service providers and ESPs will be available between the hours of 9:00am and 2:00pm to provide additional resources and activities to support classroom teachers.

• Continue to collect information for all upcoming eligibility meetings and annual reviews.

• Will participate via phone meetings, as needed, per immediate supervisor.

Nurse Expectations

• Nurses will be available from 9:00am and 2:00pm during e-Learning days to respond to any health related emails/questions concerns from staff, parents, and families.

• Continue to collect information for all upcoming eligibility meetings and annual reviews.

• Will participate via phone meetings, as needed, per immediate supervisor.

Teacher Tips

• Make things simple. Whenever possible, use technologies with which your students are familiar.

• Clearly articulate desired learning outcomes.

Required Statement of Assurances

• • • Collective Bargaining Provision: The A.E.R.O. Education Association (AEA) was consulted and documentation of approval is included in the application.

    • Future Revisions: The A.E.R.O. e-Learning Plan will be reviewed annually and prior to implementation in a given school year.

    • Ensure and verify at least 5 clock hours of instruction or school work, as required under ILCS 105 Section 10‐19.05, for each student participating in an e‐learning day.

    • Assurance that there is access from home or other appropriate remote facility for all students participating, including computers, the Internet, and other forms of electronic communication that must be utilized in the proposed program.

    • A.E.R.O. has provided laptops/notebooks to staff.

    • To the extent to which student participation is within the student's control as to the time, pace, and means of learning.  Each student is learning at their own pace. Each student's instructional plans are guided by his/her teacher and monitored. All instructional staff including related services are working from 8:15am to 3:15pm each day. Outlying sites will be expected to work their regular hours.

    • Provide effective notice to students and their parents or guardians of the use of a particular day(s) for e‐Learning.

Appendix A

Remote Learning Resources and Digital Tools

 Remote Learning for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder

 Remote Learning for Students with Significant Intellectual or Multiple Disabilities

 Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times

Remote Learning resources compiled by the A.E.R.O. Behavior Intervention Department

Boom Cards Click the links below created by Multi Needs teacher, Maggie Thompson on how to use Boom Cards to engage students.

Click here for an overview of how Maggie Thompson uses Boom Cards in her Multi Needs classroom.

Google Classroom: Click here to access several short screencast videos about how to use Google Classroom.

Click here to watch a short screencast by PRIDE teacher Jordan Singer, who uses Google Classroom to differentiate her assignments.

Google Slides: Click the links below to access short screencasts by Multi-Needs teacher Kristin Aardsma on using Google Slides to make morning meeting more interactive.

Click here to view video on Preventing Click to Advance/Direct Select Activities. Click here to view video on linking videos and websites.

Click here to view video on creating drag and drop activities.

Google Forms: Click the links below to access short screencasts by PRIDE teacher Jordan Singer to learn how to use Google Forms as an assessment tool.

Click here to view a video on how to create a Google Form assignment.

Click here to view a video on how to set a Google Form to “auto grade.”

Remind: Click here to watch a short overview on Remind.

Click here to watch a short screencast by STAR teacher Craig Olson, who uses Remind to communicate with families and send work home.

Screencastify: Click here to view several short videos on how to use Screencastify.

Click here to see a short overview of how STAR teacher Kaleigh Passman uses Screencastify to conduct read alouds for her students.

Zoom and Google Meet: Click here to read an overview of how to use Google Meet for Remote Learning.

Click here to visit the Zoom YouTube Channel, which includes many helpful “how-to” videos.

Last Updated: March 21, 2021