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  • Virtual Learning Academy Terms and Conditions

    1. Online courses are 0.5-credit courses consistent with accelerated block scheduling. Students requesting a 1.0 credit class (for example, English IV) will be scheduled in two 0.5-credit courses (semester A and semester B). During the school year, Lewisville ISD students taking Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) courses will be scheduled similarly to how in-person classes are scheduled (e.g., semester A during the first nine weeks and semester B during the second nine weeks). During the summer, students may be scheduled for A and B terms concurrently but should still complete the courses in order. TxVSN courses are scheduled according to both Lewisville ISD's scheduling requirements and the TxVSN course provider's calendar. TxVSN courses may have different start and end dates from Lewisville ISD's VLA depending upon the course provider. If you are choosing a TxVSN course that is not provided directly by the Lewisville ISD VLA, consult the TxVSN course catalog for specific term information.

     

    2. Online courses range from $250 to $400 per 0.5 credit. For example, Economics is a 0.5-credit course available through VLA at a cost of $250. English IV is a 1.0-credit course available through VLA. The fee for semester A (0.5 credit) is $250. The fee for semester B (0.5 credit) is $250. The total fee for this 1.0-credit course is $500. Courses offered through TxVSN typically cost more and range from $400 - $800 for a 1.0 credit course. If you are choosing a TxVSN course that is not provided directly by Lewisville ISD's VLA, consult the TxVSN course catalog for specific course fee information. Note that where multiple TxVSN course providers offer the same course, Lewisville ISD may schedule students with preferred providers. These providers have a history of successfully serving our students, and we choose them to maximize our students' chances of having a positive, successful experience online.

     

    3. Online courses carry the same levels of difficulty / grade weights as courses taken on a traditional campus. Lewisville ISD uses the following system for weighting grades, which also applies to VLA courses for Lewisville ISD students.

    • Level 1: On-level general education courses (1.1 GPA multiplier).
    • Level 2: For class of 2024 and beyond, all non-honors LOTE and non-AP LOTE courses (1.15 multiplier)
    • Level 3: Dual credit core courses, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, academic decathlon, IB courses (for students transferring in with IB credit) (1.2 multiplier) 

     

    4. A student who drops a VLA course after the drop deadline incurs academic and financial penalties. During the summer accelerated term, a student may drop an online course taken through VLA or TxVSN within the first four school days of the term without academic or financial penalty.  For example, if the term started on a Tuesday, Friday would be the last day to drop, assuming no holidays. A student who joins a course after the instructional start date has four days to drop the course without penalty, counting the day the student enrolled in the course as day one. A student who drops a course without penalty during the four-school-day period will receive a full refund and no academic penalty. A student who drops a course after this period will not receive a refund. The student’s transcript will show that the student was not successful in the course.

     

    IMPORTANT NOTE FOR STUDENTS TAKING TxVSN COURSES: For Lewisville ISD students taking courses through TxVSN, you must let us know within three days rather than four if you wish to drop. This will give us time to process your drop through TxVSN in case you contact us requesting a drop outside of normal business hours.

     

    5. A pacing guide is in place for each online course that stipulates due dates for students to complete their work. Students who do not complete their work in a timely manner may be assessed a grade penalty in accordance with the late policy stipulated in the course syllabus. Online courses are NOT designed to be “click-through courses” where students work “at their own pace.” While online courses taken through VLA and TxVSN are typically asynchronous, students may be required to attend live online sessions using WebEx, particularly if they are struggling with course content. Times and dates for these sessions will be set by the online instructor. If a student is unable to attend a live session, the student will be required to access a recording and complete an assignment. Students should make sure to review other course-specific requirements set forth in the course syllabus.

     

    6. Grades are recorded in the learning management system for the course, and the instructor will provide information on how to access grades. For Lewisville ISD students, progress report grades and final course grades will be entered and viewable in Skyward. The VLA sends regular grade updates to the site coordinators of outside students taking VLA courses through TxVSN.

     

    7. VLA and TxVSN students take semester and final exams in person with a proctor.

    • Students must arrange to take proctored exams on the date designated by the teacher. Typically, students have several days to choose from within exam week.

    • Students who plan to travel out of the local area or country are not exempt from this requirement and must make special arrangements with the teacher.

    • Failure to complete this in-person exam requirement or an alternative special arrangement approved by the teacher will result in a grade of zero being issued for the final exam.