Special Populations Information
The unique learning environment that Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS) provides is a valuable option for students who benefit from a non-traditional school setting. Our courses are designed to be accessible to students with a variety of learning preferences and needs. Partner schools can use the Parent Information section of the WVS website as one indicator to determine if online learning is an appropriate placement for their student.
Wisconsin Virtual School is the state supplemental program in Wisconsin, and partners with public, private, and charter schools and districts across the state to provide an online learning option to students K-12. Wisconsin Virtual School is an option for most elementary, middle and high school students, including those who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP), Individualized Learning Plan (ILP), 504 Plan, or Hospital Homebound status, to take courses which meet state academic requirements. If a student with an IEP/504/ILP is enrolled in a WVS course, it is the responsibility of the local school system to ensure all requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 are being met.
Since WVS courses are aligned with state education standards, content cannot be modified; however, Wisconsin Virtual School can provide reasonable accommodations documented in the IEP/ILP/504. There are some instances in which accommodations listed in the IEP/ILP/504 are not conducive to the online environment and may not be provided. When this occurs, WVS staff will contact the local school and/or parent/guardian to further discuss the appropriateness of online learning and whether or not these accommodations or modifications can be provided by the student’s home district.
Wisconsin Virtual School provides a variety of supports implemented in the courses to enable students with an IEP/ILP/504 to experience successful learning. Our online courses are developed in a way which naturally provides many of the supports commonly identified in individualized plans and the learning preferences of learners.
Example of supports embedded in Wisconsin Virtual School content include:
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Flexible schedule.
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Weekly due dates during the school year and summer are based on the individual student’s start and end dates.
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Pacing schedules outlining academic tasks to keep students organized and on pace to meet weekly due dates.
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The ability for parents and school coaches to easily monitor individual student progress.
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Personalized and descriptive feedback for student work.
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Weekly access to course teacher(s).
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Review activities, study guides, and notes integrated into the course content.
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Ability to plan and prepare for upcoming assessments.
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Ability to use course content, resources, and self-checks as needed to prepare for and complete graded assignments and assessments.
Examples of accommodations conducive to the online environment include:
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Non-timed assessments by request of the district coach.
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Less multiple choice items on quizzes and assessments by request of the district coach.
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Additional attempts on assignments, tests and quizzes as deemed appropriate by the district coach.
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Regular communication between parent or guardian and teachers.
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Use of a calculator
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Use of a word-to-word dictionary
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Use of a text-to-speech tool
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Use of own notes
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Use of organizational devices, such as checklists or pacing schedules.
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Chunking of larger assignments
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Assessments modified as stated in IEP/ILP/504
Ensuring the confidentiality of the student’s information pursuant to IDEA and FERPA, Wisconsin Virtual School staff will only share the student’s accommodations with the student’s teacher(s) and correspond with permissible staff in the student’s school district (e.g., the special education case manager). Wisconsin Virtual School staff and/or teachers may contact the student’s counselor or case manager to discuss relevant information regarding the student including the provision of accommodations.
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