March 2024
Unsung Super Star Award
The Digital Learning Collaborative (DLC) announced their 2024 award recipients, recognizing a few of the incredible leaders, schools, and organizations that are improving student opportunities and outcomes in K-12 digitial learning.
This year’s 2024 Unsung Super Star Award for School/District was awarded to the Mesa Digital Learning Program (MDLP) in Mesa, Arizona, and was accepted by Julie Davis, department specialist.
According to the full press release, "This award goes to an organization that is implementing innovative learning models that most people are unaware of, even with a significant impact on students' lives and learning. MDLP addressed post-pandemic realities head-on and continues to support students, families, schools, and its district. The program's multifaceted initiatives and collaborative ventures with partner districts exemplify a forward-thinking and community-focused approach to education during these extraordinary times."
Thank you to the team at MDLP for your invaluable contributions to our innovative projects, significant impact on students, and the spirit of collaboration that defines our work. Thank you to our teachers for your dedication to online learning, high expectations, and student success. Thank you to the students and parents for choosing MDLP to meet your educational needs for the past 25 years.
MDLP is honored to have been selected as the recipient of DLC's 2024 Unsung Super Star Award.
Spring Break Learning
With MPS Spring Break approaching, many students may want to take a break from their MDLP courses. If this is the case, students should plan to work ahead in their courses to ensure they do not fall behind during Spring Break. Regardless of working ahead, students are encouraged to engage in learning for at least part of the break.
Students who wish to work ahead may do so with the understanding that they must login and submit coursework within the 14-day progress period. Students who do not login and submit coursework for 7 consecutive days will receive a progress warning. Students who do not login and submit coursework for 14 consecutive days will be dropped from the course.
Students should review the course calendar available in each course to determine a plan for working ahead. The course calendar can be adjusted based on the days in which students will engage in learning and can help students set daily and/or weekly progress goals to ensure successful completion of the course.
MDLP teachers will continue to answer questions, provide feedback, grade assignments, and support students over Spring Break, except on Saturdays (optional for teachers to login). MDLP Support will be accessible by email (support@mdlp.org).
Achievement Tutoring Program
The Achievement Tutoring Program is a new tutoring program designed to provide reading, writing, and mathematics tutoring for students in grades K-12. The tutoring is provided by the Arizona Department of Education and approved tutoring providers with the goal of increasing student proficiency on the statewide AASA in alignment with Arizona State Standards as well as improving reading, writing, and math in every grade level.
This program utilizes funds from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) program to provide tutoring services to those students who may have been impacted during the pandemic and is free to qualifying Arizona public school students in grades K-12.
The Achievement Tutoring program will consist of six-week tutoring blocks with 60 minute sessions up to four days per week; students complete a pre- and post-test to determine tutoring needs during each tutoring block for grades 1-8; tutoring sessions aligned to the Arizona Standards in reading, writing, and math; and communication between the parents and the tutor.
More information regarding student eligibility, subjects covered, tutor qualifications, and specific dates can be found on ADE's Achievement Tutoring page.
Mandatory State Testing
WHO
Students in grades 3-8 are required to complete AASA ELA and AASA Math.
Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 are required to complete AzSCI.
Students in grade 9 are required to complete ACT Aspire.
Students in grade 11 are required to complete ACT.
Students in grade 8 are required to complete the American Civics test.
Students who qualify as ELL are required to complete AZELLA.
WHAT
AASA ELA
AASA Math
AzSCI
ACT Aspire
ACT
American Civics
AZELLA
More information regarding statewide assessment of students enrolled in Arizona public schools can found on the ADE Assessment page for parents and students.
WHEN
AASA ELA: April 2 and 3, 2024
AASA Math: April 4, 2024
AzSCI: March 27, 2024
ACT Aspire: April 11, 2024
ACT: March 28, 2024
American Civics: April 29 - May 10, 2024
AZELLA: February 6, 7, 29, and March 1, 2024
Makeup dates will be published on the MDLP State Assessments page as they become available.
WHERE
All state assessments must be taken in person, in a proctored setting determined by the program.
All state assessments are taken on site at MDLP located at 1313 West Medina Avenue, Mesa.
*The information provided in these sections pertains only to students enrolled full-time at MDLP. Students who are enrolled at another MPS school should contact their school for state testing information.
WHY
State assessments show how well schools and teachers are teaching and how well students are learning. These assessments are aligned to Arizona’s Academic Standards.
Arizona Revised Statute 15-808 requires all students enrolled in Arizona online instruction to complete mandated state assessments.
Students who fail to complete the state testing requirements will be dropped from the online program or be required to pay tuition for additional courses.
HOW
State assessments are administered online but must be taken in person, in a proctored setting.
Students have access to universal and embedded tools and supports.
Notifications will be sent by the MDLP office via traditional mail, email, announcement, and phone message.
Sample and practice tests, exemplars, and testing accommodations can be found on the ADE Assessment page for parents and students.
Summer Courses
Students may enroll in MDLP summer courses to address learning deficiencies or for credit advancement. All courses are asynchronous, self-paced with suggested due dates, and require independent learning. All courses are taught by appropriately certified teachers, who answer questions, provide feedback, and support student success throughout the course.
MDLP summer course enrollment begins on Tuesday, March 26 and ends on Friday, July 26. Course end dates will be set eighteen weeks from the course start date unless requested otherwise. Students are highly encouraged to complete all summer courses before the first day of school in August.
MDLP summer course tuition is $175 per semester-length course. This tuition rate applies to all MDLP summer courses for MPS and non-MPS students. Tuition may be paid online through MPS web page, by phone by calling MDLP, or in person in the MDLP office.
Current MDLP full-time students may continue to enroll in tuition-free courses throughout the summer due to their school calendar being year-round. ESA students are required to pay full ESA fees during the summer months per funding dates in the ESA Parent Handbook.
Students who wish to enroll in multiple summer courses may enroll in them concurrently or consecutively. However, extensive analysis of MDLP summer school data shows that students are most successful when they enroll in only one online summer course and complete it before the start of the regular school year. Students who enroll in multiple courses are most successful when they enroll in one core course and one elective or two elective courses. Concurrent enrollment may not be allowed for some enrollments due to prerequisite requirements.
More information regarding summer courses can be found at MDLP Summer Courses.
Current Types of Enrollment
Concurrent
A student who attends another MPS school while taking MDLP courses.
Students typically enroll in only one MDLP course each semester.
Enrollment occurs anytime between August 1 and mid-March.
Enroll now through mid-March using the MDLP registration form.
Tuition is required when a student is enrolled in more than 7 credit-bearing HS classes or more than 6 credit-bearing JH courses.
Full-time
A student who does not attend another MPS school and takes courses only through MDLP.
Students typically enroll in 4-6 MDLP courses each semester.
Enrollment occurs anytime between July 1 through mid-March
Enroll now through mid-March using the MDLP registration form.
Tuition is only required if a student is ESA, over 22, or does not meet state testing requirements.
Summer
A student who attends another MPS school and enrolls in summer courses through MDLP.
Students typically enroll in 1-2 MDLP courses during the summer session.
Enrollment occurs mid-March through the end of June.
Enroll starting mid-March using the MDLP registration form.
Tuition is required for all summer courses.
New Full-time Enrollment Option Coming Soon! More Information Will Be Shared In Next Quarter's Newsletter
MPS Student Code of Conduct and Discipline Matrix
In Mesa Public Schools, we are dedicated to delivering on our Promise to know our students by name, serve them by strength and need so they graduate ready for college, career and community. The Promise requires a safe environment, where students act with honesty, integrity, civility, and respect for themselves and others. The Code of Conduct reflects the district's vision, and the attitudes and skills in our Portrait of a Graduate. Please review this document to ensure your understanding of its contents.
Important Dates
March 15
New Full-time Enrollment Ends
Last day for students to enroll as an MDLP full-time student. Full-time enrollment opens again on July 1, 2024.
March 18 - 22
MDLP Office Closed
The MDLP office will be closed for registration, enrollment, and final exams. Students may contact their teacher via the course message box or email MDLP support at support@mdlp.org.
March 18 - 22
MPS Spring Break
Students enrolled in an MDLP course should continue to engage in learning. MDLP teachers will continue to grade assignments, answer messages, and provide feedback at least once a day, except on Saturdays.
March 25
Concurrent Enrollment Ends
Last day for concurrently enrolled students to enroll in an MDLP course needed for graduation, through concurrent enrollment, or free of charge. MDLP full-time students may continue to enroll in courses as long as they are meeting progress goals and attend state testing.
March 26
Summer Enrollment Begins
First day of MDLP summer course enrollment for current MPS high school students. All courses enrolled in on or after this date are considered MDLP summer courses.
March 29
MDLP Office Closed
The MDLP office will be closed for registration, enrollment, and final exams. Students may contact their teacher via the course message box or email MDLP support at support@mdlp.org.
March 25 - April 28
MPS State Testing Window
Testing window for AzSCI, AASA, ACT, and ACT Aspire. Specific dates for MDLP full-time students are posted on the MDLP state testing page. Please remember that participation in state testing is required for all full-time students per ARS 15-808.
