GPS Global Academy Parent Online Learning Agreement 

Gilbert Public Schools is committed to providing guidance to students and families to increase the likelihood of success in their courses. As part of this commitment, as well as meeting the education laws of Arizona, a parent/guardian will be required to read and agree to the online learning agreement outlined below. 

Online Attendance and Course Progress Requirements

For asynchronous classes, students may choose when, during the week (Sunday through Saturday), they wish to complete their 5 hours but must show consistent progress each week. Please note: GPS Global Academy courses are not accessible from outside the United States. 

Attendance is collected in two ways:

1) Each day of the regular school year, the student must log in to Buzz at least one time before 11:59 pm to register attendance and membership as a Global Academy student. 

• Parents will be notified via the attendance caller in the afternoon if their student has not yet logged in. 

• Students who do not log in ten school days in a row will be dropped for non-attendance and may be required to return to in-person learning. 

2) Student progress in each course will be collected and parents will be notified weekly. Students with no progress in their courses for more than two weeks in a row may be required to return to in-person learning. 

Per Governing Board Policy, if the student does not meet the required time or progress each week, they are subject to removal from GPS Global Academy and reassignment to a brick-and-mortar district school. There are resources that can support students they have trouble with their classes or any other issue. To get help, they may reach out to their online teacher(s), their counselor, or our office help team at GAonline@gilbertschools.net.

NCAA Verification

Students who plan to receive a scholarship to play NCAA college sports must register with the NCAA eligibility portal (https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/) and follow specific rules regarding class selection, course extensions, and more.

Specifically, students wishing to be NCAA-eligible must:

• Ensure that all core class selections are NCAA-approved (we note this in our course catalog)

• NOT enroll in any credit recovery classes. If a credit needs to be recovered, they must take the original course

• Complete all coursework within 18-weeks, at a maximum. No extensions will be allowed.

Maintaining NCAA eligibility is the ultimate responsibility of student and parent, and not of the school. 

Global Academy Procedures

The GPS Student Code of Conduct applies to all Global Academy students. The Global Academy Student Handbook describes the procedures and policies that must be followed. 

GPS Global Academy is committed to providing students with a high-quality, well-rounded education. We also understand that this type of learning is not suitable for all students. By choosing to attend our school, we expect that you will meet the following participation guidelines:

1) All students must complete an orientation course annually, prior to beginning their classes. This course introduces students to online learning, how to logging in to classes, register attendance, and more. The orientation course is updated yearly with new information, procedures, and policies.

2) All students are required to log in to Buzz each day of the regular school year, even though their work time in their courses is flexible across the week. This allows Global Academy to take and report attendance. Parents will be notified via the attendance caller if their student has not logged in, and will be able to excuse illnesses or other absences via Infinite Campus or by calling their brick and mortar school. 

3) Students will work proactively in each of their classes at least five hours per week and will be responsible completing all assignments within their course(s) with their own work. Students should follow academic integrity guidelines throughout. Artificial Intelligence shall not be used to complete assignments unless expressly required in teacher's directions for students. 

4) Certain assignments in each course must be completed using a live Webex or recorded video in order to receive credit.  Using video and audio recordings is an essential part of being an online student. 

5) Students are expected to check their email at least once each day.

6) Final exam testing:

• For all online classes, students must complete all assignments and have a passing overall grade (60% or higher) in their course before being approved to take the final exam. Full-time online students must take final exams in-person at GPS Global Academy. Concurrently-enrolled students may take their exams at either GPS Global Academy or their home campus. 

• In order to receive credit for the course, the student must pass each part of the final exam with a grade of 60% or higher. They will be allowed two tries maximum.

• If a full-time student is unable to travel to GPS Global Academy, they may make arrangements to take their exam at a public library, university, or other educational institution. Their proctor may not be a parent/guardian.

6) Each course may be completed in no less than 4 weeks and no longer than 18 weeks, with the majority of courses naturally requiring between 9 and 18 weeks. This includes weekends, holidays, and school breaks where Buzz is online. At the end of the 18 weeks, if a student is within the final module of their course, they may request a maximum of 1 additional week to finish their course and take their final exam.

Gilbert Public Schools Requirements

Students must participate in state-mandated testing in accordance with ARS 15-808-B or they may be required to return to in person learning.  Full-time online students will take their exams at the Global Academy campus while concurrently-enrolled students will take them at their home campus. For state testing, all eligible students are required to test in-person.

Students are responsible for completing the following when assigned:

• District Benchmark Assessments

• My Future AZ career exploration activities during 9th through 11th grade. 

• Obtaining a passing score on the American Civics Act Exam, which is given starting in the eighth grade

Per Governing Board policy, copying answers off the internet or from another student, as well as any other form of academic dishonesty, are strictly prohibited.  My student may be removed from Global Academy if continued plagiarism, use of artificial intelligence, or other repeated acts of academic dishonesty occur, in accordance with ARS 15-808-G.

Monitoring grades and progress, reviewing weekly progress reports and reaching out for assistance when needed will provide a foundation of support for student success. 

I understand that if there is a failure to uphold the above agreement, my student may be required to return to in-person learning.