Policy 5010 - Learner Validated Programs

Purpose and Scope

This policy establishes the requirements for Learner Validated Programs (LVP) within Piute School District. These programs prioritize demonstrated academic progress and mastery of learning objectives over traditional attendance in scheduled instructional periods. This policy applies to all digital, self-paced, or competency-based courses.

Definitions

1. Teacher of Record: A licensed educator employed by Piute School District who has direct responsibility for a student’s educational progress; maintains oversight of curriculum quality and alignment with state standards; and documents student academic participation and progress.
2. Educational Service Provider (ESP): A third-party entity contracted by the District to provide courses, instructional services, curriculum, grading services, or educator services that generate average daily membership or count toward graduation requirements.
3. Learner Validated Program (LVP): An educational program designed for competency-based or self-paced learning where student participation is measured by demonstrated academic progress and completion of learning objectives rather than attendance at scheduled instructional times.
4. Online Course: A course delivered primarily through digital or internet-based platforms where instruction occurs outside of a traditional classroom setting.

Instructional Standards and Rigor

All Learner Validated Programs must maintain educational rigor and support equivalent to traditional attendance-validated programs.

1. All courses will align with Utah Core Standards and any additional criteria established by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE).
2. Instructional Time Equivalency: Piute School District shall establish and maintain methods for calculating equivalent instructional hours for Learner Validated Programs. These methods shall be based on demonstrated academic engagement, completion of coursework, and participation in assessments rather than seat time.
3. Mastery-Based: Students must demonstrate mastery of prerequisite skills before advancing to subsequent coursework. The District shall define and implement standards for demonstrating academic progress, including expectations for course completion, mastery of learning objectives, and ongoing academic engagement, which may be carried out in coordination with an Educational Service Provider under District oversight.
4. Assessments: All students enrolled in Learner Validated Programs shall participate in required state assessments in accordance with Utah Code 53E-4-3 and Utah State Board of Education requirements.

Accountability and Monitoring

To ensure academic integrity, student progress, and compliance with state requirements, the District shall implement the following accountability and monitoring procedures:

1. Assignment of a Teacher of Record: Each student enrolled in a Learner Validated Program (LVP) shall be assigned a District-employed Teacher of Record.
2. Teacher of Record Responsibilities: The Teacher of Record is responsible for overseeing and ensuring student academic progress. In coordination with an Educational Service Provider (ESP), the Teacher of Record shall:
   1. monitor student academic growth using available data;
   2. review and validate student academic engagement;
   3. ensure student progress toward mastery of State Core Standards is documented;
   4. ensure appropriate instructional support is available to the student;
   5. review and grade submitted portfolio samples, as applicable; and
   6. record and maintain student attendance and required student records in the District’s designated systems.
3. District Oversight and Accountability: The District retains full responsibility and accountability for:
   1. student academic outcomes;
   2. alignment of courses with State Core Standards;
   3. monitoring student academic progress and participation;
   4. course quality and instructional effectiveness; and
   5. compliance with all applicable state laws and assessment requirements.
4. Pacing and Participation Benchmarks:
   1. Teachers shall review and approve pacing guides to ensure course completion within the school year. Ongoing engagement is required. If a student fails to meet participation benchmarks for 4 consecutive weeks, a formal intervention shall be initiated.
5. Continuing Enrollment: A student shall be considered actively enrolled in a Learner Validated Program based on ongoing participation in coursework, demonstrated academic progress, and engagement in required learning activities as defined by District participation benchmarks.
6. Academic Integrity:
   1. The District shall implement verified checkpoints (e.g., proctored exams, video identity verification, or unique digital signatures) to confirm student identity and progress.
7. Interaction and Feedback:
   1. Teachers of Record shall provide timely, substantive feedback on student required assignments within 10 business days. 
   2. Ongoing interaction between the student and the Teacher of Record using messaging, email, or virtual meetings within 24 hours and Interaction shall occur as needed and be sufficient to monitor student progress, support learning, and verify academic engagement.

Student-to-Teacher Ratios

To ensure effective evaluation and support, the District shall maintain a student to teacher ratio that does not exceed 100 students per licensed Teacher of Record. The District shall document these ratios and provide such documentation to the State Board upon request to maintain eligibility for Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) funding.

Funding and Documentation

A student in an LVP generates full WPU funding only if:

1. A licensed Teacher of Record is assigned and active.
2. The District documents student participation in instructional supports, learning activities, coursework, and assessments.
3. The District shall maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with all requirements of Learner Validated Programs, including student participation, academic progress, instructional time equivalency, student-to-teacher ratios, course alignment, and academic rigor and support, and shall provide such documentation to the Utah State Board of Education upon request.

Performance Waivers

The District may apply to the State Board for a waiver of specific pacing or sequential requirements if a student demonstrates proficiency through:

1. State-approved assessment results.
2. Documented mastery of learning objectives.
3. Other evidence approved by the State Board. 
4. A waiver may not exempt the District from:
   1. assigning a Teacher of Record;
   2. monitoring and documenting student academic progress and participation.

Coordination with Third-Party Providers

If the District contracts with an Educational Service Provider (ESP):

1. The District shall ensure that any Educational Service Provider (ESP) operates in alignment with District policies, state requirements, and applicable laws.
2. A District-employed Teacher of Record shall be assigned to each student.
3. The Teacher of Record shall retain final authority over grading, course alignment, and the determination of student progress.
4. The District shall ensure the ESP’s platform provides the data necessary to monitor student growth and validate academic engagement.
5. The District retains full responsibility and accountability for student outcomes, program compliance, and oversight.