The E-School Model:

Frequently-Asked Questions

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Questions

  1. Do students follow the state Curriculum Frameworks? For example, how do they learn math?
  2. How are students accountable for their work? What is a "study buddy"?
  3. What do students do when they get "stuck" at some point in their work?
  4. What is the parents' role in the E-School?
  5. What are the students' daily contact requirements (email/phoning each other, their teacher, etc.)?
  6. What if a student can't type well?
  7. What if we don't have a computer, or our computer isn't powerful enough to use the Internet?
  8. How are materials made available?
  9. How are the Arts part of the curriculum?
  10. What would a students' normal school day be like (on non-Hub days)?
  11. Can students from other schools participate online without having to enroll?

Answers (Subject to Reconsideration with Parent Feedback)

  1. Do students follow the state Curriculum Frameworks?
    Each student has an individual plan based on academic needs and personal goals. In establishing this learning contract with students, teachers are responsible for referencing New York State curriculum frameworks to indicate appropriate sequential courses of study assigning individual work plans for the week in addition to the functions and tasks given to students through their interdisciplinary projects.
  2. How are students accountable for their work?
    Students are responsible to email their teacher every day with a report of their efforts, sending as attached files any work that was completed. Each student also has a "study buddy" who stays in touch to help them stay on task. Six- or Eight-week evaluation conferences allow for progress report on individual education plans. Because this is a modified form of home schooling, parents are expected to help keep their children on task as well. Students might take turns working together at each others' homes on E-days, so that the need for parent supervision is shared among the 5-7 nearby families in each hub. We attempt to form hubs where all homes are in bicycling distance, so that students can collaborate without involving parents in transportation needs.
  3. What do students do when they get "stuck" at some point in their work?
    Most remedial work takes place over the Internet, over email or bulletin board depending on the general application of the problem. Relevant web pages are identified to help students with specific problems. Hudson Valley Learning Center staff are available during set hours of each day to receive phone calls and provide educational and technical support. In addition, students are encouraged to rely on each other as peer tutors when that is appropriate.
  4. What is the parents' role in the E-School?
    Parents have a range of responsibilities in addition to tuition and providing their children with a suitable computer. First, they help define the educational plans for their children, identifying strengths and weaknesses, setting goals and providing guidelines. Second, they use their community connections to provide mentors or group projects. Third, they support the daily activity of the school by occasionally making their homes available for Hub meetings, attending field trips, acting as online editors and mentors when appropriate. Parents also attend 6-week conferences.
  5. What are the students' daily contact requirements?
    Two emails to the teacher daily (one first thing in the morning, one last thing in the afternoon) are required. Students are also required to send a minimum of three postings to the hub bulletin board each day. Phone contact is not required unless requested. Students should contact their study buddies in the morning and afternoon as well, and may also contact resource people in their community as they work on projects.
  6. What if a student can't type well?
    "Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing" is an entertaining, highly effective software package for Macintosh or PC. Students should type at least 35 words per minute to participate fully in the school.
  7. What if we don't have a computer, or our computer isn't powerful enough to use the Internet?
    A sufficiently powerful computer should cost between $1000 and $1500. Online Access Services generally run less than $15 per month. E-School staff help families in obtaining and configuring machines and accounts.
  8. How are materials made available?
    Students are responsible for their own materials, including copying anything they intend to present at hub meetings. As much as possible, electronic resources are used.
  9. How are the Arts part of the curriculum?
    In addition to occasional arts-related group projects, the Creative Arts are worked into student individual educational plans, and are part of their E-day schedule.
  10. What would a students' normal school day be like?
    On E-days (non Hub days), students follow the work schedule agreed upon with their parents. They begin by logging in to their email, reviewing their days work, and sending a message to their teacher indicating what they plan to work on and what they expect to need help with. They also make contact (over email or phone) with their study buddy to check in, or perhaps plan to meet together at one of their homes. Teachers check their email at some point mid-day, and respond by the afternoon. Students complete their work (including at least three BBS postings), email the results, check in with their study buddies a second time, and are done for the day.
  11. Can students from other schools participate online without having to enroll?
    Nonregistered participants can serve as electronic tutors, online discussion participants and community information resources. The availability of students from other schools makes partner groups possible, and cross-school collaborations are encouraged.