Policies and Responsibilities
2007 - 2007

Accreditation:

Internet Academy is accredited by Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS).

Applications:

Applications must be completed online at our website: http://www.iacademy.org. Placements are made on a space available basis. Students may be placed on a waiting list for some courses.

Diplomas:

Internet Academy does not issue diplomas.

Learning Expectations:

Student

• Students need a computer meeting system requirements as posted online, and daily Internet access. Students most often work at home and should set up an environment and daily schedule conducive to learning.
• Students are expected to communicate with teachers and complete assignments as part of their learning day.
• Successful secondary students schedule 60 - 90 minutes per day, per course to study and complete assignments. Elementary classes require a 5-8 hour weekly commitment. Students are expected to work consistently toward completion of their courses.
• Computers do crash or experience technical problems. Student work still needs to be completed on a consistent weekly basis. The student is responsible to locate another computer with Internet access until their own is repaired. Suggestions: local library, friend’s home, parent’s work, or IA Lab.
• Self-motivated education means the major responsibility belongs to the student to stay on target with class assignments. Teachers offer guidance, instruction, and feedback. Schedules and checklists are posted online.

Parent

• Learning online is a Student – Parent – Teacher partnership. Parent involvement increases student success. When parents stay involved in making schedules, familiarizing themselves with course material, assignments and grades, and communicate with teachers, students have a high degree of success.
• Parents are provided information to access their “IA Campus” page, which gives them easy access to teachers, student grades, course information, and information regarding their assigned parent FirstClass® e-mail account.

Getting Started:

• Each student is provided a FirstClass® e-mail account and required to use this account for all school work.
• Within 48 hours (2 school days) of receipt of the Welcome letter, students must successfully complete an Online Orientation and Orientation Assignment. After completing and submitting the Orientation Assignment, student will be assigned teachers, and student will begin working in classes immediately.
• It is the responsibility of the student and parent to contact Internet Academy immediately for assistance with any problems getting started. For technical help, please call (253) 945-2249, or e-mail helpdesk@iacademy.org. Tech assistance is available Mon, Wed, Fri – 8:00am-2:00pm; Tues, Thur – 12:00-6:00pm.

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Credit and Grading:

• Confirmation that Internet Academy courses meet a student's graduation requirements is the responsibility of the student and parent. Please check with your school counselor. Internet Academy is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS).
• Credit for courses is earned when all course work is completed to meet State and District expectations.
• Grades on assignments must be at passing level. Revisions may be required to meet learning expectations. FWPS students must meet C- grade expectations to earn credit. Partial credit for a course will not be issued.
• All secondary courses earn .5 credit and should be completed within one semester (18 weeks).
• Course grades are posted online and are current within 5 school days. Teachers will provide parents additional progress information when requested. Progress Reports will be sent by FirstClass® e-mail mid-semester.
• Intentional deception (copying, plagiarism, cheating) in the preparation or completion of any school assignment, examination or project, or aiding such behavior by others, is prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.
• Upon completion of courses, final grades issued will be A, B, C, D, or F. If a student withdraws after the nine week Drop period, an F will be recorded as a final grade.

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Attendance:

• Students residing in Washington state are required to attend school (RCW28A.225). Internet Academy students are required to “attend” class, just like students in a building school setting. Attendance is defined as WEEKLY assignment completion and contact with teachers.
• Students absent for a period of 20 consecutive school days, defined as no assignments submitted, will be withdrawn from class(es), or from the program, with grade(s) earned at that time.
• When a withdraw occurs at Internet Academy, students must enroll in their resident building school, or other educational program (does not apply if Intent to Provide Home-based Instruction has been filed).
• Excused absences: In the event of a scheduled absence of one week or more (such as a family vacation), please communicate with each teacher prior to the absence. If a student is ill for a week or more, please contact your student’s teachers.

Assignment Completion:

• Completed assignments are required for EACH CLASS, EACH WEEK. Some courses require class chats, projects, portfolios, presentations, or in-person assessments.
• Students are required to use their FirstClass® e-mail account (provided by Internet Academy) to submit assignments.
• It is the student's responsibility to SAVE assignments as a back up and to be sure assignments are received by teachers through FirstClass® e-mail.
• A computer lab is available for students. Check schedule online. During scheduled lab hours there will be a teacher in the lab to assist students with general questions about courses. Students grade 3 and under must have a parent with them in the lab at all times. Emergency Contact and Immunization Records are required upon a student’s first lab visit each year.
• For specific assistance, students should contact their teacher by phone or FirstClass® e-mail to schedule an appointment.
• Teachers' first responsibility is to work with active, working students. Time permitting, contact will be made with students and parents of non-working students.

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Course Completion:

• January 27, 2006 and June 16, 2006 are the end of 1st and 2nd semesters. Secondary students are strongly encouraged to complete courses by semester dates to stay on track for graduation. Elementary students also should work consistently toward course completion based on suggested time schedules for their courses. Secondary courses are 18 week, 1 semester, .5 credit courses. Timelines and schedules for assignment completion are posted on course websites.
• An extension beyond end-of-semester dates (January 27 for 1st semester, and June 16 for 2nd semester), must be requested in writing by parents. Requests cannot exceed 18 additional weeks. Students requesting an extension beyond June 16 need to apply for admission again in the fall of 2006 to complete their course.
• At the end of the extension period, a final grade (A,B,C,D,F) will be issued. If the course is not completed to meet passing expectations, an F will be recorded as a final grade.
• If tuition has been paid for a course, the student will have 18 weeks to complete the course. If an extension beyond that time is needed, additional tuition will be required.

Request for Withdrawal / Dropping a Course:

• Students may officially withdraw from our program or drop a course within the FIRST NINE WEEKS of admission without grade penalty. Requests for withdrawal or dropping a course must be made by parent/guardian. Please contact Marcia McVicar, Student Data Manager at (253) 945-2253, or marcia-mcvicar@iacademy.org.

Contacting Teachers:

Teacher information (phone, e-mail, course schedules) is available at each individual online Teacher Office. The most efficient way to contact an IA teacher is through the assigned FirstClass® student or parent e-mail account.

Transcripts:

Transcripts and/or Internet Academy Course Reports will be mailed home at the end of the school year. Additional Transcript mailing, such as a copy to your resident building school, or other educational program, may be requested at any time by writing to marcia-mcvicar@iacademy.org or calling (253) 945-2253.

Software:

SOFTWARE and MATERIALS provided for Reading classes MUST be returned upon completion of the course, or replacement cost received.Grades will be held until software/book is returned or payment received (FWPSPolicy 3520).

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