The student is at the center of every ELO. They initiate an ELO idea and, with the assistance of the ELO Coordinator and Content Advisor(s), direct the development of their ELO plan which includes the standards they wish to prove proficiency in, and the learning activities they intend to complete as evidence of their skill.

If necessary, the student takes part in finding a Community Mentor that best suits their ELO needs and is responsible for acquiring the necessary signatures on the ELO application. During an ELO, the student must exhibit professional behaviors and is expected to adhere to rules, procedures, and policies of both school and workplace.

In addition to active learning while on site. Students are required to check in weekly with the ELO Coordinator and keep their Learning Log up to date daily. Students must complete the work outlined in their ELO plans, and any work assigned by the Community Mentor. All students complete some kind of final project as well. If possible, this includes a product designed to be beneficial to the Community Mentor and/or the community location. At the conclusion of the ELO, students complete an exit evaluation and share their learning in a Verification Presentation where they are assessed by an ELO evaluation team. This team includes the Extended Learning Opportunity Coordinator, Cooperating Teacher(s), Special Education Case Manager (if applicable), and any other individuals who are key to the student’s ELO success.

The Community Mentor is the overseeing on-site adult who supervises and provides mentoring to students engaged in ELOs. This individual takes responsibility for monitoring the student’s activities and learning at the site as well as maintaining their safety. The Community Mentor works with the student to help them achieve the outlined academic and personal learning goals in the student’s ELO plan. Through regular contact, the Community Mentor answers student’s questions, encourages student’s learning through the inquiry process and guided exploration, shares in the student’s reflection of their learning, and assists the student in the development of their ELO project. The Community Mentor will be asked to assist in the evaluation of student engagement and professional skill development while on site. This evaluation will be done informally through written and oral communication with the ELO Coordinator as well as a formal evaluation to occur twice during the duration of the ELO. Community Mentors are encouraged to attend students’ final ELO panel presentations.

The responsibilities of the Community Partner/Mentor are:

• Provide and maintain a safe environment for the student.

• Keep and be able to locate location a copy of district insurance binder, DOL approval form, made available from ELO Coordinator.

• Provide orientation to their site policies and procedures related to the ELO plan.

• Provide supervision and training as appropriate to ELO plan.

• Engage in regular dialogue with student’s ELO supervising teacher and/or ELO Coordinator regarding progress.

• Review student’s reflections as appropriate and offer comments, ask questions, and provide constructive feedback.

• Communicate any issues and/or concerns (student, site, or program) in a timely manner to ELO Coordinator.

• Report absence and tardiness in a timely manner to ELO Coordinator.

• Provide guidance and direction to the student in creating his/her product/project.

• Participate in midpoint and final assessment of student work.

• Attend final ELO presentation.

• Participate in exit interview as needed.

The Content Advisor(s) may work with the student to determine the indicators for the ELO experience. The may also help the student develop a plan for how learning will be recorded and demonstrated. At a minimum, the Content Advisor decides what level of proficiency has been demonstrated in each Content Standard (on a 0-4 scale). The Content Advisor(s) may also have a mentoring role, checking in with the student to review formative assessment activities such as research and reflection, encouraging and praising success, and/or benchmarking what has been accomplished and what has yet to be learned. In some cases, the Content Advisor(s) may share the mentoring role with another educator, a Community Mentor, or an ELO Coordinator.

The responsibilities of the Content Advisor(s) are:

• If necessary, collaborate with student and ELO Coordinator to identify standards as well as brainstorm potential opportunities for the student to develop evidence;

• Be available to students during the ELO to provide guidance, support, academic assistance, and answer questions pertaining to the ELO;

• Meet with students regularly if necessary throughout the ELO to assess student progress;

• If necessary, collaborate with parents/guardians as partners in the ELO process;

• Notify the ELO Coordinator in the event that the student is not completing or submitting learning activities;

• Notify the ELO Coordinator and parent/guardian of concerns, so that any issues may be resolved in a timely manner.

Content Advisors have a specific prep period in their teaching schedule to allow them time to do this work.

This individual is responsible for all aspects of the ELO Program and all individual ELOs. They work with the ELO Team to develop and execute ELOs, develop working relationships, and act as the liaison between Community Mentors and the school, the student and Community Mentor, and parents/guardians and the ELO Team.

The responsibilities of the ELO Coordinator are:

• Facilitate the ELO application with input and feedback from the student, Content Advisor(s), and Community Partner/Mentor.

• Contract with the appropriate certified teachers as needed for assistance in planning and assessment of ELOs.

• Be available to provide guidance, support, academic assistance, and answer questions for all ELO students.

• Keep track of student and ELO Team meetings and student work submitted.

• Provide ELO forms, orientation, training, and expectations to the Community Mentor and site as necessary. Forms will include district insurance binders, copies of proficiencies, and any required supporting ELO documents.

• Maintain ongoing communication with Community Mentor and student to ensure ELO is going as planned.

• Notify Community Mentor of any concerns or unforeseen events that may affect the scheduling and/or completion of ELO (snow days).

• Host public presentations of ELOs as part of the final assessment process.

• Evaluate student’s ELO specific work, provide guidance on evidence development, attend the final presentation, and sign off on the achieved proficiency.

• In the event that the ELO is not completed, organize exit interviews with Community Mentor, Content Advisor(s), and, if applicable, the Special Education Case Manager.

The parent or guardian of the student play an integral role on the ELO team. As the adult who knows the student best and is able to monitor and support the student outside the school day, ELOs cannot go forward without parent or guardian consent.

The parent or guardian will:

• give permission for their student to access this flexible pathway;

• support the students time management skills outside the school day;

• communicate with the ELO Coordinator if problems arise at home that affect the ELO.