TEACH Northwest
TEACH Northwest
Grades K-12
Print or online for all grades
Stipend $2,000
Curriculum: choice of options for print, third party vendors for online
High School: Online, home curriculum, or community college
Meetings: 6 video chat meetings per year, 2 check-ins per week, monthly reports
Sponsoring school district: Marcola
Office location: Eugene, serving students statewide
Web site: https://www.marcola.k12.or.us/o/tnw
$2,000 per child
Allotments can be used to cover academic materials such as textbooks, school supplies, curriculum materials, approved instructional programs, enrichment experiences, educational subscriptions, educational fees, tutoring services, some athletics fees and equipment, field trips, and internet expenses as approved by the school.
Allotment expenditures are made through a school-issued debit card. Half of the allotment is loaded on the card for each semester. Parents submit receipts through an online form. Parents may also purchase an approved item with their own funds, and submit the receipt for reimbursement.
Materials under $200 may be kept by the family. Non-consumable purchases over $200 need to be returned.
For all grades, parent choice of print curriculum from an extensive list of per-approved publishers (443 so far) and online providers. See web site for list. Or, students may choose from online classes through third-party content providers such as:
Edgenuity (core classes)
eDynamic Learning (career and electives)
Aleks (math)
Online classes are provided free and are not deducted from the allotment funds.
A few enrichment club type classes are offered at the Marcola school district, or organized on an ad-hoc basis at other locations.
Many field trips are offered for sign-ups, some in the Willamette Valley area and others around the state. Examples include factory tours, radio station, World of Speed, museums and concerts.
High schoolers may complete a standard diploma through the online coursework, or use curriculum at home, earning credit through an approval process. They may take community college courses to meet high school requirements. There is also a GED Option program for certain qualifying students.
Teach NW will pay up to 12 credits per term for community college classes, including mandatory fees that relate to the student’s individual learning plan. The student is responsible for any tuition and fees for credits above 12 credits per term. Teach NW also provides $200 toward the purchase of textbooks per term.
Community college partnerships include:
Lane CC
Linn-Benton CC
Chemeketa CC
Mt. Hood CC
Portland CC
Central Oregon CC
Clackamas CC
Students participating in Early College/Expanded Option programs do not receive an allotment in addition to 12 credit tuition per term, mandatory fees, and $200 for books, as this total significantly exceeds the standard allotment. If a student enrolls in fewer than 12 credits and their expenses are less than their standard allotment, the remaining amount of their standard allotment is made available.
Evaluations for special education services are done remotely via video-chat or email, coordinated by TeachNW case managers. Therapy such as speech or tutoring is offered online as well, by third party vendors, in the US or overseas.
Six video-chat meetings per year with the contact teacher, plus two electronic check-ins per week (brief email).
Parents write and submit an individual learning plan at the start of the year, which details the methods and goals for all subjects to be covered. This may list curriculum, classes, field trips, memberships, equipment, subscriptions, etc. Modifications may be made during the year in consultation with the teacher.
Weekly or monthly (minimum) the parents submit a document listing the learning activities done during that period, mapping it to the Oregon State standards for that subject and grade. (“I Can” statements.)
Four times a year, submit formal work samples electronically, two per subject, with a paragraph of explanation.
Teach NW offers the SBAC, but testing may be waived and work samples used instead to document the student's progress. A portfolio of evidence in the form of videos, projects, writing samples, etc. is sufficient evidence to show academic growth.
TeachNW reviews grade-level enrollment numbers in determining openings for the upcoming school year. Students residing in the Marcola school district are considered first, followed by students who have siblings currently enrolled. Any remaining enrollment positions are awarded to students chosen through an equitable lottery process based on the compiled wait list. Families who are on the wait list will remain on the wait list until they opt to remove themselves.