Virtual Courses Policy

FERGUSON-FLORISSANT SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY 2026.1 - MOCAP VIRTUAL COURSES

Because virtual instruction can be an effective instructional option for some students, the district may offer virtual courses to students through district staff or by contracting for those services as part of the district sponsored curriculum. In addition, eligible students may take virtual courses offered through the Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP).

All grades and credits earned through the virtual courses approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s MOCAP will be accepted as if earned within the district. The district will collect state funding for resident students enrolled in DESE approved virtual instruction to the extent permitted by law established in Senate Bill 603.

The District will pay the costs of a virtual course only if the District has first approved the student's enrollment in the course as described in policy. Even if a student or his or her parents/guardians pay the costs for a virtual course, the student should meet with the principal or designee prior to enrollment to ensure that the course is consistent with the student's academic and personal goals.

MOCAP

Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP) Course – A virtual course that is offered by a course provider listed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as part of the virtual course program under § 161.670, RSMo., as amended. Students must meet certain enrollment eligibility requirements to take a MOCAP course. The district pays for MOCAP courses and is required to accept MOCAP course credit.

General

In accordance with law, a student in grades K-12 is eligible to take a MOCAP course through the district if all of the following are met:

1. The student meets eligibility requirements;

2. The student has approval for enrollment in accordance with this policy; and

3. Taking the course does not cause the student to exceed full-time enrollment in the district.

The District encourages parents/guardians and students to consult with district staff to ensure that the student is aware of all available academic options and that courses align with the student's academic goals. District counselors or certificated staff will develop individual career and academic plans (ICAPs) for district students enrolled in three or more virtual courses. If a student already has an ICAP, the plan will be reviewed and modified as necessary.

The District is not obligated to provide students with computers, equipment or Internet access to take MOCAP courses unless otherwise required under an education services plan or by law.

Eligibility

A student is eligible to enroll in a MOCAP course through the District if:

1. The student physically resides in Missouri;

2. The student is enrolled full-time in a public school; and

3. The enrollment is approved by the principal or designee through the procedure described in this Policy.

Enrollment

The enrollment process for MOCAP courses will be substantially similar to the process for enrollment in virtual courses offered by the District as well as accompanying procedures and guidelines. Available in person instruction will be considered prior to moving a student to MOCAP courses. The District will permit continuous enrollment in MOCAP throughout the school year. Students seeking to enroll in MOCAP courses must comply with the same registration deadlines applicable to other District courses to ensure that they receive the full benefit of the course and do not fall behind.

Before a student may be enrolled in a DESE-approved virtual MOCAP course, the student must receive District approval. Approval will be granted and the student will be enrolled unless the principal or designee, in consultation with the student's parents/guardians/caretakers and relevant staff (such as the school counselor or District special education director), determines that it is not in the best educational interest of the student to enroll in the course.

The principal or designee may approve or deny the initial request within ten business days from the date the principal or designee receives the request unless the student has an individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan. If the District fails to make a decision and communicate it to the student or parents/guardians/caretakers within ten business days when required by law to do so, the enrollment will be deemed approved.

If the principal or designee determines that it is not in a student's best educational interest to take a virtual course, they will notify the student and the parents/guardians/caretakers in writing, provide an explanation for the decision and inform them that they may appeal the decision to the Board.

Students with Disabilities

If a student has an IEP or Section 504 plan, the student's IEP team or Section 504 team will make the initial decision on whether the student is approved to enroll in one or more MOCAP courses or full-time schooling through MOCAP. This decision will be made expeditiously but is not subject to the ten-businessday timeline for automatic approval for enrollment in MOCAP courses. Any appeal of a decision made by an IEP team or Section 504 team must go through the process provided under federal law.

If enrollment is appropriate, the IEP team or 504 team will determine the services, aids, supports and accommodations required. The District will provide the MOCAP course provider with a description of the accommodations and modifications contained in the IEP or Section 504 plan. The MOCAP course provider's teacher will participate in the IEP team or Section 504 team as necessary.

The District will work with the MOCAP course provider to develop and implement a monitoring protocol or process to ensure that the provider is implementing the accommodations and modifications as written. If a provider fails to implement the IEP or Section 504 plan, or if the IEP or Section 504 team determines that the MOCAP course is not appropriate for the student’s needs, the District may reconsider approval for the student to take the course with the provider, subject to procedural safeguards. The District will provide to the state the reasons for discontinuing the course when it is related to failure on the part of the provider to make the required accommodations and modifications.

Appeals

If the student or parent/guardian/caretaker appeals to the Board, the principal or designee will provide the Board written reasons for denying the student’s enrollment, and the student or parents/guardians/caretakers will provide written reasons the student should be allowed to take the course. Both documents will be retained by the Board and will be incorporated into the minutes.

In addition, the student and/or parents/guardians/caretakers and the principal or designee will be allowed to present their arguments at a Board meeting. The appeal to the Board shall be held in closed session. The Board will consider the information presented and release a written decision within 30 calendar days of the meeting.

Monitoring and Reporting

DESE will monitor student engagement and the success of students enrolled in DESE-approved MOCAP courses and report the information to the District. If a course does not meet the educational needs of a student, the District may remove the student from the course or alter the course offering if the course does not meet the educational needs of the student, including situations where the student does not actively participate in the course or complete course assignments.

The District will report all concerns regarding the quality or delivery of a MOCAP course to DESE. The District may consider concerns regarding the quality of a course when making approval decisions for other students. In addition, the District will consider recommendations made by DESE regarding continued or future enrollment in MOCAP courses.

Transcripts and Transfers

District transcripts will identify which credits were earned through MOCAP courses. The District will recognize course credit earned through MOCAP and accept transfer credits from any MOCAP course. Students who transfer to the District while enrolled in MOCAP courses will be allowed to continue enrollment in the courses.

Notice

District will inform students and parents/guardians/caretakers of their child's right to participate in MOCAP and will inform parents/guardians/caretakers of the availability of the MOCAP program. The District will include the availability of the program in parent/guardian handbooks and registration documents and feature the program on the homepage of the District's website, as required by law.

Payment

The District will pay a MOCAP course provider a monthly pro rata amount based on a student’s completion of assignments and assessments and subject to the cost limitations in state law. The District will stop making monthly payments if a student discontinues enrollment. The Superintendent or designee is authorized to negotiate lower course rates with MOCAP course providers when possible.

MOCAP Enrollment Requests

Before a student may enroll in a Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP) course through the District, the student or the student’s parents/guardians/caretakers will notify the student’s principal or designee. The parent/guardian of a student requesting MOCAP courses will complete a District MOCAP application to notify the District/school of their request.

The principal or designee, in consultation with the student’s parent/guardian/caretaker and other relevant staff, such as the school counselor or the District’s special education director, will determine whether the requested course is appropriate or there is good cause to refuse the student enrollment in the course. When applicable, a student’s individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 team will make the initial decision on whether a student with a disability is approved to enroll in a virtual course.

MOCAP Request Deadlines

The District permits continuous enrollment in MOCAP courses through the school year.

MOCAP Course Education and Information

The principal or designee will educate MOCAP-eligible students and the student’s parents/guardians/caretakers about MOCAP and the key differences between virtual and in-person instruction. The principal or designee will discuss MOCAP course options available to the student, determine which course(s) the student prefers and how the course(s) will help the student meet academic and personal goals. The principal or designee will also inform the student and the student's parents/guardians/caretakers of whether preferred course(s) are available, whether the student must complete any prerequisites prior to taking the preferred course. Available opportunities for in-person instruction will be considered and discussed with the student and the student’s parents/guardians/caretakers, prior to moving a student to MOCAP courses.

Virtual Courses: Best Educational Interest Determination

Best Education Interest Considerations

District staff should at a minimum, consider the following when deciding whether a MOCAP course is in the best educational interest of a student, but may consider other factors not listed:

Virtual Course Characteristics

1. Does the course meet or exceed district curriculum standards and graduation requirements?

2. Does the course align with the student’s career goals and the student’s individual career educational plan (ICAP)?

3. Is the course for remediation? If so, will it personalize instruction to the student’s specific needs?

4. Is the district aware of any complaints or concerns regarding the quality of the course, and have those complaints or concerns been resolved?

5. Has the district had difficulty working with the course instructor or provider to ensure a student with disabilities receives the required accommodations or modifications?

Student Skills Necessary for Success in Virtual Courses

1. Has the student demonstrated good time-management skills indicating the student is capable of submitting assignments and completing course requirements without reminders?

2. Has the student demonstrated persistence in overcoming obstacles and a willingness to seek assistance when needed?

3. Has the student demonstrated good verbal or written communication skills that would allow the student to succeed in an environment where the instructor may not have any nonverbal cues to indicate the student’s level of understanding?

4. Does the student have the necessary computer and/or technical skills to succeed in a virtual course?

Other relevant factors

1. Does the student have adequate access to computers, Internet and other necessary technology to participate in a virtual course and complete the necessary assignments?

2. Has the student previously attempted a virtual course and failed the class or struggled with the class? If so, has the issue that caused the student to struggle or fail been identified and addressed?

Adopted 01/2019

Rev - 8/2022

FERGUSON-FLORISSANT SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY 2026 - VIRTUAL COURSES

Attendance and Completion

Students who enroll in District-offered virtual courses are expected to actively participate in those courses with the goal of completing the course. If a student does not actively participate in a course or is not progressing in the course, the District may remove the student from the virtual course and refuse to approve the student’s request to take virtual courses in the future.

Students enrolled in virtual courses are expected to complete all course requirements in the time allotted for the course. Extensions of time to complete a virtual course will be permitted only in situations where completion of the course in the allotted time would be impossible due to factors beyond the student's control.

Attendance for any student assigned to a virtual education school or program or course shall be calculated pursuant to the requirements of the State of Missouri Department of Education.

State Mandated Assessments

Students enrolled in District-virtual are required to take the state mandated GLA and/or EOC examinations administered by the District regardless of whether the course for which the examination is required was taken virtually or in person.