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Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP)

Fort Osage School District provides opportunities for full and partial virtual learning to current Fort Osage Students.  

Families of students that are interested in virtual learning need to follow the process described below, and are encouraged to review the Fort Osage Virtual Learning Handbook prior to contacting your child's school to declare intent. 

  • Students in Kindergarten through sixth grade have the option to request to participate in Springfield Launch Courses (the district's preferred partner) or take classes via other Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP) providers.

  • Students in Seventh and Eighth grade may be provided virtual learning opportunities through Springfield Launch or Edgenuity (district created virtual course options or take classes via other Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP) providers.

  • Students in High School, grade 9-12 will be provided course virtual course options through Edgenuity and in some cases Springfield Launch or take classes via other Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP) providers.

 

Profile of a Successful Online Student

The most important question to answer is whether or not the student is well suited to be successful in an online learning environment. Parents and students should be aware that the demands of online courses are equal to or exceed those of traditional ‘face to face’ courses. Online instruction places much more responsibility on the student. A student should plan to spend at least one hour a day, five days a week, on each course. In other words, at least five hours per week on each course. This is similar to the amount of time a student would spend in a course at the local “brick and mortar” school. Instructors with online teaching experience agree that students who are successful with online learning have the following critical characteristics:

  • Good Time Management: Can the student create and maintain a study schedule throughout the semester without face-to-face interaction with a teacher?

  • Effective Communication: Can the student ask for help, make contact with other students and/or instructors online and describe any problem he/she is having with the learning materials using email?

  • Independent Study Habits: Can the student study and complete assignments without direct supervision and maintain the self discipline necessary to stick to a schedule?

  • Self-Motivation: Does the student have a strong desire to learn skills, acquire knowledge and fulfill assignments in online courses because of their educational goals?

  • Academic Readiness: Does the student have the basic reading, writing, math and computer literacy skills to succeed in an online course?

  • Technologically Prepared: Does the student know how to open, create and/or save a document, use various technology tools and identity file formats (e.g., doc, xls, pdf, jpg)?

 

**The Stanford Research Institute examined the accessibility of online learning for students, especially those who were at risk of failure. Their report cautions that students who have failed face-to-face classes may have challenges that will affect their success in an online course as well. Many students do not realize that they will have to be even more accountable for their time, performance and productivity in an online class.**

 

To apply for Virtual Learning through FOSD, please follow the procedures below:

  • Students must be residents of and enrolled in the Fort Osage School District

  • The student will not be allowed to exceed the number of courses that a face to face student would be enrolled in via FOSD

  • Read the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MoCAP) student/parent handbook at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LLYKUruk2PEHOonoX1wREgcSDK-HHRI84fXyWyv3VHA/edit?usp=sharing

  • Fill out the Fort Osage School District MOCAP Agreement and the Online Handbook Agreement included in the link above

  • Schedule a time with the student’s assigned counselor/administrator.

  • If a student is approved, the counselor will provide next steps for enrollment.

  • If a student is not approved for MOCAP, the student has a right to appeal. 

 

The school may deny a student/parent request for virtual learning at district cost if one or more of the following is true:

  • The student has previously earned credit in the requested course (FOSD will not pay for retakes to obtain a higher passing grade)

  • The virtual course is not capable of generating academic credit (grades 9-12)

  • The virtual course is inconsistent with the remaining graduation requirements of the student

  • The student has not met the prerequisite of coursework for a requested course

  • The student has failed previous virtual course or courses

  • The course enrollment request does not occur within the timelines established by Launch, MOCAP provider, or the school district

Student Appeal Process:

If the district decides it is in the best educational interest of the student not to take MOCAP courses, the district shall inform the student and the student’s family of their right to appeal to the school board. The following process will then occur:

  • Family presents their reasons for their child or children to enroll in MOCAP in an official writing to the Executive Director for Educational Services

  • Both the family and school administration shall also provide their reasons in writing and documents will be retained by the Executive Director for Educational Services

  • The Executive Director for Educational Services shall issue their decision in writing within 30 calendar days.

  • Only MOCAP courses offered during the regular school year are eligible for appeal.

  • The appeal process does not apply to summer school or virtual courses that are not MOCAP approved.

  • In the event that a parent/guardian pursues application to a hosted MOCAP program, outside of FOSD partner MOCAP/Virtual partnerships, the parent/guardian assumes financial responsibility and enrollment would be transferred to the MOCAP Host provider school district.  It is important to note that hosted MOCAP providers may also deny an application

 

MOCAP: Missouri Course Access and Virtual Program

HTTPS://MOCAP.MO.GOV/

The Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP) is in the process of developing a course catalog of virtual online courses for students statewide. Students will be able to take an entire course from any Internet-connected computer, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  MOCAP’s mission is to offer Missouri students equal access to a wide range of high quality courses and interactive online learning that is neither time nor place dependent.

The  Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the State Board of Education oversee administration and quality assurance activities such as related content and delivery of courses. 

Missouri-certified teachers facilitate MOCAP courses. MOCAP provides Missouri students with equal access to a wide range of coursework, anywhere, any time.