CFBISD Virtual Campus Policies/Handbook
Access to the technology utilized by CFB Virtual Campus courses imposes certain responsibilities and obligations. Appropriate use is ethical and honest, and demonstrates respect for physical and intellectual property, system security protocols, individuals’ rights to privacy and to freedom from intimidation, harassment, and unwarranted annoyance.
Use Virtual Campus course resources only for authorized purposes.
Students will respect the work and creativity of the authors of materials that are viewed on the Internet. Therefore, students will not copy files from the Internet for any use other than for personal use, unless the webmaster explicitly states that the page may be copied freely.
Use only legal versions of copyrighted software in full compliance with licensing agreements.
Students will respect the work and creativity of software developers and not download or duplicate licensed software. Students may download public domain programs and will pay for shareware programs. Students assume all risks in regard to programs which are public domain, shareware, or licensed.
Use responsible, ethical behavior.
The Internet is a global network of information. Information available ranges from being useful and scholarly to being incorrect, possibly plagiarized, and offensive. There are no gatekeepers or systems of censorship in place on the Internet.
Use technology and the CFB Virtual Campus format in a respectful manner.
Students will not use the CFB Virtual Campus network for financial gain or for any commercial or illegal activity. Students will follow rules written and unwritten, pertaining to Internet etiquette, and communicate respectfully to all people. Students will not attempt to bypass security protocols on servers or workstations.
Students are expected to use the Internet and associated technology appropriately.
Actions that constitute inappropriate use include, but are not limited to:
- Use login or password of another individual without permission
- Use files or data of another individual without permission
- Attempt to break into system operations of the network or servers
- Engage in activity that exposes the systems and residing information to any level of harm or danger
- Make illegal copies of software
- Use CFB Virtual Campus network, email, news groups for partisan political purposes, harassment, or commercial venture
- Engage in any activity that does not comply with the CFB non-discriminatory policy
- Any attempt to break into or tamper with the system operations, including any student records or grades will result in cancelation of privileges.
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in CFB Virtual Campus.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, fabrication of information or citations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor and securing written approval, or tampering with computer files and/or academic work of other students.
Teachers may personally interview students to validate work at their discretion.
Academic dishonesty will result in one or more of the following actions:
- Loss of grade points
- Removal from course
- Failure to receive credit for the course, or
- Loss of eligibility to earn credits through CFB Virtual Campus
If an offense occurs, the teacher will notify the student by e-mail that his/her parents and local school district officials will be notified in writing of the infraction. If further offenses occur, the student will be removed from the course. Regardless of whether the offense is a first or second offense, if the incident is deemed severe, the student will be removed from the course.
Respect individuals’ freedom from harassment.
Students will protect the privacy of their classmates. Therefore, students will not publish any names, passwords, email addresses, or other information pertaining to other students. Students understand that CFB Virtual Campus courses require use of e-mail and newsgroups as a means of communication and learning; and will, therefore respect the technology as a means of instruction. Students will not use their email account as a means to harass people who use the Internet, including other CFB Virtual Campus students.
By participating in newsgroups, you agree to allow others access to your email address. As in any course of study, student success in online courses is dependent on the amount of attention given to each assessment, study skills, the experiences brought to the course, and the help you receive while taking the course.
CFB Virtual Campus encourages students to give each assessment your best effort. Seek assistance from your teacher regarding course content, tech support regarding technical problems, and/or the CFB Virtual Campus office for other needs or questions.
Communication between the student and the teacher will be through email.
Upon enrolling in the course the student will receive an introductory letter from his/her teacher. It is important that the student follow the instructions contained in that letter. Each student will receive a schedule for completing and turning in course assignments and tests.
Students are expected to adhere to the schedule and turn in assignments on time. Assignments not turned in on schedule may be zeroed out. With the exception of weekends and holidays, teachers will usually respond to email within 24 to 48 hours. Grades for teacher-graded assignments will usually be posted within 48 to 72 hours. There will be exceptions to this standard response time. For example, teachers may take short vacations. Teachers will communicate with their students to give them prior notice of any time that they will be unavailable.
Parental support and supervision will ensure student success.
Parents should assist their student by helping set up his/her workstation, encouraging active ongoing participation in the course, and monitoring progress. The student’s status can be obtained at any point by accessing the grade book with his/her password.
Credit will be granted through their home high school in accordance with district policies.
Students may earn a maximum of two credits through Virtual Campus courses and may be enrolled in two Virtual Campus courses at a time.
Seniors who are enrolled in online courses to earn units required for graduation shall complete the course and submit the grade for recording at least 7 days prior to the graduation date in order to be eligible for graduation at the end of the term.
All district policies related to academic honesty and participation will apply to online courses.
By enrolling in this course, students accept the terms of this handbook and acknowledge and hold CFB Virtual Campus harmless for any injury or offense that may be suffered by accessing information on the Internet. Students who violate any part of this handbook or engage in any other activity which school authorities consider inappropriate will be subject to disciplinary action consistent with CFB academic honesty policies and procedures.
Course Credit: All course credit is granted at the discretion of the student’s home high school in accordance with district policies. CFB Virtual Campus will issue a completion certificate to the registrar’s office of the student’s home high school for notification of credit earned. The student and home campus counselor will receive a letter from the Virtual Campus office notifying them of the student’s grade status upon completion of the course.
Grade Reporting: Students have constant access to their grades through the online course “gradebook.”. This page indicates all of the grades the student has earned for all assignments and tests turned into the teacher. Students and parents are encouraged to monitor progress. The teacher is the final authority for assigning grades. There is no appeal of a grade past the course teacher.
Tuition Payment/Refund Policy: Tuition and fees are the responsibility of the student. Tuition costs are established by the course providers. Payment and reimbursement policies are conducted through CFB Virtual Campus as outlined by the terms of the registration agreement. Some courses may require the purchase of additional materials and textbooks not included in the tuition fee. Students who withdraw from an online course within 10 days after enrollment may receive a tuition refund for the course. A $50.00 administrative fee will be charged for all withdrawals in addition to online credit card payment fees, if used. No refunds will be made for students who request to withdraw from a course after ten days after the the enrollment date.
Enrollment: Students must follow course selection and approval procedures through the campus counselor. Failure to secure approval may result in no credit being awarded for the course.
Students may enroll in no more than two Virtual Campus courses at one time. Grades earned in virtual courses shall be used in computing class rankings when certified CFB staff members are assigned as teachers of record. Grades from online courses from providers and teachers outside CFB will not be used in computing students GPA and class ranking. Seniors who are enrolled in online courses to earn units required for graduation shall complete the course and submit the grade for recording at least 7 days prior to the graduation date in order to be eligible for graduation at the end of the term.
All decisions concerning course approval are made through campus procedures by the counselor and building principal.
Technology: Students will not use the Virtual Campus network for financial gain or for any commercial or illegal activity. Students will follow accepted community norms governing Internet etiquette and communicate respectfully to all people. Students will not bypass security protocols on server or workstations.
Academic Integrity: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, fabrication of information or citations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor and securing written approval, or tampering with computer files and/or academic work of other students.
Teachers may personally interview students to validate work at their discretion.
Academic dishonesty will result in one or more of the following actions:
- Loss of grade points,
- Removal from course,
- Failure to receive credit for the course, or
- Loss of eligibility to earn credits through CFB Virtual Campus.
If an offense occurs, the teacher will notify by e-mail that his/her parents and local school district officials will be notified in writing of the infraction. If further offenses occur, the student will be removed from the course. Regardless of whether the offense is a first or second offense. If the incident is deemed severe, the student will be removed from the course.
Guideline Issues:
- Teachers have the final judgment on grade reporting.
- The building Principal has the final decision on credit approval.
- The CFBISD Virtual Campus Principal will make the final decision in all other student/parent concerns.