ANSWERS TO MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NovaNet (long-term) ALTERNATIVE LEARNING PROGRAM

What is NovaNet?
NovaNet is a comprehensive program of self-paced, on-line courses providing a pre-test/tutorial/post-test format of course delivery. Hundreds of thousands of students receive instruction across the US in a variety of settings on a yearly basis. Courses include remedial to advanced-offering opportunities for a wide range of students with diverse needs.

What is the purpose of using the NovaNet Program in the Franklin County CEC?
The purpose of the NovaNet Program in the CEC is to offer administrators and students an alternative to long-term suspension. Students are able to use the self-paced online

What will be the benefits?
For the school:
Positively affects attendance rate
Reduces suspension numbers
May reduce dropouts
For the student:
Attendance maintained
Academic opportunity maintained

Where will students report to the CEC?
The Franklin County Creative Educational Centre is located at 53 West River Road in the Riverside Central Office Complex Annex

What will be the hours of instruction?
The middle school students (grades 6-8) will attend from 8:30 am - 11:30 am. High school students (grades 9-12) will attend from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

What will students do during their three hours in the ALP?
Students are expected to work hard during each minute they are in the CEC. For most, they will be making up lost ground. The majority of the time is spent in academics, the other portion in a counseling/life skills/human relations component. Each student's academic situation will be assessed to determine best strategies and approaches to ensure success. Every effort will be made to keep middle school students progressing in the four core areas. With the high school block schedule and reduced CECtime, it will be determined which classes can be continued and which ones may be discontinued. A number of items will be considered in making these decisions for high school students.

What do students need to bring to the ALP?
Students are required to bring a healthy attitude and the desire to be academically successful. For high school students, each textbook should be brought. For middle school students, the math, English, science, and social studies texts are needed.

How long will students be assigned to the ALP?
Students are assigned to the NovaNET Alternative Learning Program in lieu of long-term suspension from their home school. Their stay is generally (1) for the remainder of the current semester or (2) for the remainder of the school year. The high school administrator and Superintendent make this determination. Each student's PEP will be evaluated prior to release to ensure both academic and behavioral objectives are met.

What are the behavioral and academic expectations for students?
Behavioral Expectations:
oStudent is expected to be on time, be prepared for, and on task in all classes.
oStudent is expected to show evidence of being motivated at all times in both NovaNet classes and in other classes.
oStudent is expected to have a positive attitude at all times.
oStudent is expected to use mature communication skills at all times.
oStudent is expected to respect himself/herself and others at all times.
oStudent is expected to have transportation arrangements made with parents prior to attending the program each day.
oStandards of course completion and credit will require approval of the NovaNet instructor and school administrator. All Franklin County policies and procedures for course credit will be maintained.
Academic Expectations:
oStudent is expected to set goals and show evidence of working to achieve those goals.
oStudent is expected to participate in classes for the purpose of earning all credits being attempted.
oStudent is expected to attend regularly. Absences may warrant the removal from the NovaNet program so that this opportunity may be offered to another student.
oStudent is expected to follow the NovaNet plan as prescribed by the NovaNet instructor.
oStudent is expected to have a desire to be successful academically in the Franklin County CEC Program.
oStudent must accept that all units assigned in a particular subject MUST be completed in order to be considered for credit in the NovaNet lab. No partial credit is awarded.

What will the staff's schedule be like?
The NovaNet Instructor's hours will be from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Monday through Friday. Lunch will be between the middle school and high school scheduled programs.

What is the sending school responsible for?
The sending school follows selection processes and sends the application (CEC-2) with all requested information to the CEC Center Coordinator. Once the student is enrolled in the CEC, teachers at the home-based school are no longer responsible for instruction.

What is the function of the admissions committee?
The admissions committee will take the school referral, evaluate all information and documentation, approve the applicant or disapprove applicant with appropriate recommendations/suggestions.

How will communication take place?
Communication concerning program acceptance will be done by CEC- 4, Admissions Committee Recommendation. Other communication will be by phone or other written communication directed to the parent, principal and/or counselor.

How will grades and attendance be kept?
Bubble sheets will be utilized in the program and sent to the referring schools. All records will be transferred and maintained at the home school with all other student records.

What if a student gets into the ALP and fails to maintain behavioral and academic expectations?
Discipline problems will not be tolerated. Students unwilling to take advantage of the CEC opportunity will be suspended long term. Our CEC will not have the structure to deal with continued discipline problems on a daily basis. Both parent and student will be aware of our expectations. Any student unwilling to fully take advantage of the afforded opportunities will be removed to make these resources available to other students.

How long should the pre-referral process take in the school?
All necessary information requested in the CEC-2 form should be present. The length of the pre-referral process is dependent upon the school. Schools should be familiar with the needed information on the CEC-2 form and have implemented intervention strategies at the onset of problems. This pro-activity may prevent referral at a later date or, in the event of referral, will be documentation already in place to facilitate the pre-referral process. All information is vital to the admissions committee.

How long will the admissions committee take to process a referral and make a decision?
The admissions committee will meet on an as-need basis in a timely manner when referrals occur. It is crucial a minimum amount of time elapses between referral and decision. It must be understood that parents and administrators are part of the process.

What about Exceptional Children (EC) students?
All students can be referred. The school-based committee and admissions committee, depending on particular needs of the student, will evaluate each student referral. In addition to all processes and procedures, an up-to-date IEP must accompany the CEC-2 form.

What about transportation to and from the ALP?
Parents are responsible for transportation to and from the CEC. The CECoffers a "second chance" for the student, but much of the student's success will depend on the support of the parent. Parents should be especially diligent about the prompt pick up of their child at the end of the instructional day.

What about EOG and EOC testing?
All EOG and EOC testing will occur in the CEC or by special arrangement at the sending school. All students are required to take all State tests. Their scores will go back to their sending school to be a part the sending school's ABC program.