Billings Public Schools will be offering Virtual Learning for students during the 2024-25 school year. This Virtual Learning platform will meet required state accreditation course standards as well as Billings Public Schools minimum graduation requirements. (There are limited course offerings through Virtual Learning for Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, and CTE. It is imperative that students and families work with their school counselor in selecting classes that meet graduation requirements.)
Virtual Learning requires a minimum of one semester commitment. While the virtual learning program allows students to work at their own pace students and families should reasonably expect to work 500-540 hours each semester in the virtual classroom. Students should be completing six classes per semester.
Billings Virtual Learning will have a student mentor that will monitor student attendance and progress throughout the semester/year. In addition, the student mentor will be taking daily attendance at a time designated for each grade level (Elem, MS, and HS). All attendance policies and school district rules and expectations will be in effect.
Students will only be permitted to take up to nine (9) courses in a semester through virtual learning.
**Please note that students must commit to a full virtual learning schedule. Hybrid schedules (1/2 day in building and 1/2 day virtual) will not be permitted.**
Virtual Learning Change - October 24, 2024
Dear Parents /Guardians,
As part of a regular review process of school district programs, staff and administration have conducted an audit of Billings Virtual Learning and specifically the APEX program. Through this audit, we have concluded that the Virtual Learning program must continuously evolve as some artificial intelligence (AI) programs are being developed and sold for the sole purpose of eroding the integrity of online learning platforms.
The audit has found numerous examples of end of unit tests which are 20 questions in length being completed in one minute. Another example is semester 1 of an English class that includes the reading of multiple novels which has been completed in less than 3 hours. These are just two specific examples; however, we have identified numerous other situations. The APEX program, through the analytic tool, shows the amount of time a student spends on course material in each unit (lesson overview, study time, reading time, quiz time, assessment time, etc.). The program further breaks down the time allowing staff to see what is idle time vs. work time of each student.
Due to district findings and to ensure that the APEX learning platform is providing maximum learning benefits for our students the following changes will be implemented:
All students utilizing the APEX will be required to log into Clever using their student account with Billings Public Schools and navigate to APEX. The requirement to log into Clever then APEX has been communicated to all virtual learning students from the mentor along with directions.
As of November 4th, students will be required to use a school district Chromebook for all online work through APEX. The district mentor will not open assignments for students unless the school district chromebook is being used beginning November 4th. Chromebooks can be picked up from the Technology department on the third floor at the Lincoln Center.
High school students will still be required to complete final exams at their home school or the Lincoln Center with Mr. Buckner, whichever is more convenient. Please remember that an 80% must be achieved in order to earn credit for the course. Students will be permitted to use handwritten notes only. The opportunity to retest immediately is at the discretion of the test proctor and will be based upon the prior test score and through the demonstration of course work (i.e. - handwritten notes and/or course work time as monitored through APEX). We believe the aforementioned steps will maintain the integrity of the online learning platform while ensuring student learning.
While the school district tries to avoid any large changes mid-semester, we must be fluid with our online learning platform due to how rapidly technology changes. The new requirements being set forth do not hinder a student from progressing at their own pace; rather, it simply changes the navigation path to APEX and the device being used when working in APEX. Should you have any questions feel free to contact me at any time.
Thank you for being part of your child’s educational journey.
DURING THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE ALL VIRTUAL LEARNING APEX COURSE FINAL ASSESSMENTS AT THEIR HOME HIGH SCHOOL UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF SCHOOL PERSONNEL. STUDENTS SHOULD CONTACT THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT THEIR HIGH SCHOOL TO SCHEDULE A TIME TO COMPLETE THE FINAL EXAM.
High school students must earn an 80% or better on final to earn credit for the course
Assessment Procedures
To ensure students opportunity for success is maximized, the following procedures are instituted for virtual learning:
Students must complete APEX study guides in each unit. Unit assessments will not be opened unless student can provide completed study guides to the test proctor.
If a student is unsuccessful in achieving an 80% on a unit test or final after a second attempt, the student and family must meet with the mentor to discuss an academic plan to be completed prior to a third assessment attempt being allowed.
If a student is found to have violated the academic integrity of a course by cheating will result in disciplinary action up to removal from virtual learning program. This includes but is not limited to the use of AI to complete course work and use of third party platforms that store APEX test questions and answers.
First offense - student will receive a zero on assignment/test with opportunity to make up the work. Parent and student meeting.
Second offense - student will receive a zero on assignment/test and will not be provided an opportunity to make up the work. Parent and student meeting.
Third offense - student will lose credit in class which cheating occurred and may be removed from the virtual learning program. Parent and student meeting.
(Offenses are cumulative)
Billings Schools Virtual Learning
Important Dates for 2024-25
August 19th - 28th - K-5 Virtual Learning Enrollment into Edmentum
Students and families must visit with school principal to discuss virtual learning placement. If appropriate, principal, student, and parent/guardian will sign the K-5 virtual learning contract. Please review the criteria for virtual learning enrollment.
Students must meet criteria for enrollment into virtual learning which includes attendance and academic success from prior school year.
Registration in Edmentum will be completed by the School District Virtual Learning Mentor.
Students will be enrolled in the core subjects as well as Art and Health
August 19th - 28th - 6th-12th Virtual Learning enrollment into APEX
Students and families must visit with school administrator to discuss virtual learning placement. If appropriate, principal, student, and parent/guardian will sign the 6-12 virtual learning contract.
Selection of courses will be completed in coordination with the student's school counselor.
Registration in APEX courses will be completed by the School District Virtual Learning Mentor.
Students will be enrolled in the core subjects and two electives.
August 19th - 28th - Chromebook checkout at Lincoln Center (3rd floor)
August 28th - Last day to register for K-5 students in Edmentum
Enrollments after this deadline must be due to a medical condition and supported by medical documentation to be submitted to the School District Virtual Learning Mentor and Executive Director.
August 28th - Last day to register for 6th-12th students in APEX and Montana Digital Academy courses
**APEX is the primary virtual learning platform. MTDA will be used for AP, dual credit and specialty courses)**
September 3rd - K-5 classes through Edmentum begin
**(Classes may begin sooner depending upon a student's registration date)**
September 3rd - APEX and Montana Digital Academy classes begin
January 14th - 16th - 9th-12th grade students taking MTDA courses will complete final exams
January 22nd - 23rd - 9th-12th final exams. All first semester APEX courses must be completed at the end of the day on January 23rd.
January 15th - Last day to register for 9th-12th students in Montana Digital Academy (2nd Semester) in AP, dual credit or specialty courses.
January 21st - MTDA courses begin for second semester
January 27th - Second semester classes begin for 6th-12th students in APEX
May 20th -22nd - MTDA final exams
May 20th-22nd - 6th-12th grade students taking MTDA Final Exams
June 12th & 13th - Final exams. All APEX courses must be completed by the end of the day on June 13th
June 16th & 17th - Chromebook returns to Lincoln Center (3rd floor)