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Virtual Learning in the Fort Osage School District

Eligibility through District Partnership

The Fort Osage School District partners with two Virtual Learning Providers;  Launch and Edgenuity for Students in grades 7th through 12th.  Families interested in accessing district partnership placement through Launch in grades Kindergarten through 6th will only be considered under special circumstances.

Current course offerings through Launch can be found at: https://fueledbylaunch.com/academics/course-catalog/

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 Guidebook prior to contacting your child's school to declare intent. 

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
  • Fill out the Fort Osage School District Virtual Learning 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. 
The school may deny a student/parent request for virtual learning at district cost if one or more of the following is true:
  • Attendance History - it is logical to infer that a student with a poor attendance history has gaps in their learning due to not being present for the learning that has been presented. 
  • Academic History - if the student has a history of low grades, is not demonstrating grade-level achievement, or is currently earning D’s or F’s in their current course load. 
  • Virtual Learning Course Struggles - The student has previously failed or demonstrated poor performance history in online courses.
  • Missing Prerequisites - The student has not completed the prerequisite coursework required for the class.
  • Graduation and Credit Conflicts - The requested course does not align with the district’s graduation requirements, is not eligible for academic credit, or the student has already earned the credit for the course.
  • Academic Readiness - The student lacks the necessary attendance history, technology skills, or cognitive flexibility to succeed in an independent online environment.
  • Deadline Compliance - The enrollment request was not submitted with the established timeline set by the district or course provider. 

*Students with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan or Section 504 plan, eligibility for Virtual Learning is an IEP or 504 Team decision. 

**When a family works directly with a MOCAP provider and not through our district counselors to enroll full-time with a MOCAP provider,  the student transfers to the Host School district of the MOCAP provider and FOSD will not make an eligibility determination

*** If a Parent Request for virtual learning with a FOSD Virtual Learning Provider  is denied, parents will receive a Denial Letter from the school principal that will outline their opportunity to appeal to the Superintendent or designee.