Standards In Practice: NSQ Online Programs – Standard M7

An item from this “national standards” initiative.

Standard Highlight:  Online Programs Standard M:  Learner and Parent/Guardian Support M7:   The program has guidance services and academic advising to support learners and parents/guardians to ensure the success of the online program from the decision-making process through the renewal process or graduation for all educational goals to be met. Download PDF Short description:   The online program offers guidance and academic advising to ensure the success of learners and their families from beginning to end. These services provide essential resources and support for achieving educational goals, ensuring students and their families can access necessary information and assistance. At CAOLA, we offer advising services directly to online learners. CAOLA advisors provide personalized, individualized support to participating schools by meeting with students face-to-face or via Zoom and offering program management assistance to the administration. CAOLA also offers training for schools that provide their own advisors. By  Holly Brzycki, Capital Area Online Learning Association (CAOLA) Helpful Hints for putting the standard into practice Make sure that you provide a welcoming interaction with the students.  You are their cheerleader and problem solver and it is important to foster a collaborative relationship. Send all new students a welcome email and schedule time to perform a syncrounous orientation. Students perform better when they are confident and clear on expectations. Provide orientation for guardians so that they feel comfortable supporting their children. Guardian orientation is essential in the younger grades where guardians are more involved with the education of the students. Take time to learn about the students being supported.  Find a few areas that can establish a connection. Meet with online learners synchronously (or in person) to develop a relationship and let them know you care about them and their education. Students tend to be less receptive to support when their only interactions are through email. Ensure you understand reporting and data capabilities as well as attendance and grading policies to support your students accurately and quickly. You must be comfortable navigating the SIS and LMS as a student and in the advising role. Know how to contact technical support, online teachers, administration, and available resources to advocate for the student. Identify grading or attendance issues early on, allowing students to improve before getting too far behind. Meet with the administration to discuss intervention strategies. Understand accessibility, modifications, and accommodations available for all learners and special needs students. Resources to support standard use: The following support resources can be viewed via the CAOLA Resource Folder CAOLA Advising structure and job duties Welcome email template CAOLA Tipsheet new student onboarding checklist Advising timeline Video: Reports for tracking students: This training covers reports an advisor would use in Genius to monitor student progress. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE8JGujdxk0 Author and Organization Bio  Holly Brzycki serves as the Supervisor of Online Learning for the CAOLA program. For the past 20 years, she has been devoted to providing students and schools with guidance and support to ensure a positive online learning experience. The CAOLA program is celebrating its 15th anniversary of successfully guiding schools on best practices for online learning. CAOLA provides advisory services and training to school staff and administration, emphasizing the support required to assist online learners. Check out the NSQ Website and  NSQ Professional Learning Portal for more resources.

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