Virtual Learning Terms and Conditions

Scheduling

Online courses provided by LISD are consistent with accelerated block scheduling. During the school year, Lewisville ISD students taking virtual courses will be scheduled similarly to how in-person classes are scheduled. During the summer, students may be scheduled for A and B terms (A is the first half of a 1.0-credit course and B is the second half of a 1.0-credit course). TxVSN courses are scheduled according to both Lewisville ISD's scheduling requirements and the TxVSN course provider's calendar. TxVSN courses may have different start and end dates from Lewisville ISD depending upon the course provider. If you are choosing a TxVSN course that is not provided directly by the Lewisville ISD, consult the TxVSN course catalog for specific information.

Attendance for Virtual Courses

Student attendance is tracked daily for online courses taken through LISD. High school students must complete a daily check-in assignment for attendance credit in each online course. For courses scheduled in periods 1, 3, 4, the check-in assignment must be completed between 12:00 am and 11:59 pm daily. For courses scheduled in period 2, the check-in assignment must be completed between 12:00 am and 12:30 pm daily. Students who complete the check-in assignment for a class during its required time period will be granted attendance credit. Those who do not will be counted absent.

Middle school students taking high school virtual courses must complete daily check-in assignments as described above. Middle schoolers have an 8-period day rather than a 4-period day. Virtual courses may not be scheduled during 3rd period for middle schoolers. For courses scheduled in periods 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, the check-in assignment must be completed between 12:00 am and 11:59 pm daily.

Students who accrue excessive absences in their online courses may be subject to removal from the online setting to an in-person course in addition to any other consequences prescribed by the LISD Student Handbook or Student Code of Conduct for absences.

Course Fees

Online courses provided by LISD and taken during the school day by LISD students do not require payment of a course fee (though materials fees may apply for some courses). 

Courses scheduled outside of the school day, taken during the summer, or provided by a non-LISD course provider require a course fee. Course fees vary from $300 to $400 per 0.5 credit depending on the course and provider. For example, Economics is a 0.5-credit course available through Lewisville ISD at a cost of $300. Online English IV is a 1.0-credit course available through Lewisville ISD. The total course fee for LISD students taking this 1.0 credit course is $600. Courses offered through TxVSN typically cost more (up to $800 for a 1.0 credit course). To choose a TxVSN course that is not provided directly by Lewisville ISD, first consult the TxVSN course catalog for specific course fee information. Note that where multiple TxVSN course providers offer the same covlaurse, Lewisville ISD may schedule students with preferred providers. These providers have a history of successfully serving our students, and we choose them to maximize our students' chances of having a positive, successful experience online. If you wish to request a course from a specific provider, please communicate your request directly with the virtual learning office.

Online Course Equivalence

Online courses carry the same levels of difficulty / grade weights as courses taken on a traditional campus. Lewisville ISD uses the following system for weighting grades, which also applies to online courses for Lewisville ISD students.

Level 1: On-level general education courses (1.1 GPA multiplier).
Level 2: For class of 2024 and beyond, all non-honors LOTE and non-AP LOTE courses (1.15 multiplier)
Level 3: Dual credit core courses, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, academic decathlon, IB courses (for students transferring in with IB credit) (1.2 multiplier)

Dropping an Online Course

A student who drops an online course after the drop deadline incurs academic and financial penalties. During the summer accelerated term, a student may drop an online course taken through Lewisville ISD or TxVSN within the first four school days of the term without academic or financial penalty.  For example, if the term started on a Tuesday, Friday would be the last day to drop, assuming no holidays. A student who joins a course after the instructional start date has four days to drop the course without penalty, counting the day the student enrolled in the course as day one. A student who drops a course without penalty during the four-school-day period will receive a full refund and no academic penalty. A student who drops a course after this period will not receive a refund. The student’s transcript will show that the student was not successful in the course.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR STUDENTS TAKING TxVSN COURSES: For Lewisville ISD students taking courses through TxVSN, you must let us know within three school days rather than four if you wish to drop. This will give us time to process your drop through TxVSN in case you contact us requesting a drop outside of normal business hours.

Deadlines / Staying on Pace

Just like in-person course assignments, online course assignments have due dates and incur academic penalties if not completed in a timely manner. A pacing guide is in place for each online course that stipulates due dates for students to complete their work. Students who do not complete their work in a timely manner may be assessed a grade penalty in accordance with the late policy stipulated in the course syllabus. Online courses are NOT designed to be “click-through courses” where students “work at their own pace.” While online courses taken through Lewisville ISD and TxVSN are typically asynchronous, students may be required to attend live online sessions using WebEx, particularly if they are struggling with course content. Times and dates for these sessions will be set by the online instructor. If a student is unable to attend a live session, the student will be required to access a recording and complete an assignment. Students should make sure to review other course-specific requirements set forth in the course syllabus.

Grade Recording

Grades are recorded in the learning management system for the course, and the instructor will provide information on how to access grades. For Lewisville ISD students, progress report grades and final course grades will be entered and viewable in Skyward Qmlativ. The VLA sends regular grade updates to the site coordinators of outside students taking VLA courses through TxVSN.

Midterm and Final Exams

Lewisville ISD and TxVSN students take semester and final exams in person with a proctor.

Students must arrange to take proctored exams on the date designated by the teacher. Typically, students have several days to choose from within exam week.
Students who plan to travel out of the local area or country are not exempt from this requirement and must make special arrangements with the teacher. In most cases, we are able to proctor exams early and do not proctor late exams.
Failure to complete this in-person exam requirement or an alternative special arrangement approved by the teacher will result in a grade of zero being issued for the final exam.