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August 15, 2001
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there "seat time" requirements?
In our case, students must complete the 1,116 hours required by the state of Kansas for all students in grades 1-11. To track this, we ask that parents keep an attendance log that they sign and return to our office each quarter. In order to receive state funds, students must also attend school on September 20 each fall.
How much time do you need to plan an online course or school?
It's always a good idea to plan far enough ahead to have a year of classes ready when you go online. We started to plan for Wichita eSchool in March and went live in September-a breakneck pace that allowed for very few errors or delays in equipment or course creation.
Who owns the course-the district or the teacher who designs it?
Because teachers are paid for their time to create online courses and are using district equipment, the courses they design belong to the school district. This is no different from teachers who design curriculum for other programs in the district.
How are students assessed?
In grades K-8, tests, assessments, and answer keys are posted online, with parents responsible for administering them, keeping track of daily grades, and deciding when their child is ready to move on to new material. At the high school level, eSchool teachers grade all assignments and give assessments. Because of this, courses are fully accredited and can be transferred to other districts or used to graduate from Wichita Public Schools. All students are required to take state and district assessments on-site at our Instructional Support Center.
How to Launch an Online School > > >
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