Libby administrators eye new remote learning program

For months, Libby educators have struggled to manage students on remote learning schedules. School administrators think they have a solution.

Principal Ruth VanWorth-Rogers said Libby Middle High School has subscribed to a pilot program for Apex Learning, a digital curriculum for core and elective courses. This semester, the middle high school will offer classes through the program to up to 100 students.

VanWorth-Rogers told school board members during a Jan. 4 meeting that the system would offer one more option for floundering remote learners.

In September, she reported that 49 Libby Middle High School students were working virtually. Only 10 were consistently making contact with their teachers and just six were passing all of their classes.

The problem persisted throughout the first semester. During the Jan. 4 meeting, VanWorth-Rogers announced that 11 of the school’s roughly 75 remote learners saw success in the second quarter of the school year. Some of these students have said they would return to classrooms during the latter half of the year.

As of Jan. 11, the number of remote learners had dropped to 47.

Students struggling to engage with the existing remote learning program proves the biggest problem, according to administrators. To interact with students virtually, teachers host a Google Classroom where they can post videos and assignments. But the program does not require frequent feedback from students, meaning its up to the pupils to stay involved.

By contrast, courses offered by the Apex Learning program promise to keep students on their toes by presenting them with a series of prompts while they work.

“The engagement piece for it is very high,” said VanWorth-Rogers. “They have to do something every 30 to 45 seconds. Either click something [or] look at something.”

Educators will offer the Apex Learning system to all middle high school students following virtual curriculum. VanWorth-Rogers told school board members Jan. 11 that it seemed most remote learners were in favor of signing up for the system.

While students that adopt the Apex Learning program will be able to take as many classes as they please, VanWorth-Rogers said the school is looking at having them take eight courses. Administrators will schedule four of these classes for the entire second half of the school year. Students will have their pick for the remaining four courses. VanWorth-Rogers said this flexibility lets struggling students stagger their schedules.

If remote learners on the Apex Learning program wanted to resume an in-person schedule, VanWorth-Rogers said administrators might be able to transfer them back into classrooms between quarters. Administrators could give licenses of students who leave the program to other remote learners.

Apex Learning offers courses from the sixth-grade level up to the high school Advanced Placement level. If the district suspends remote learning, VanWorth-Rogers said the middle high school still would benefit from the system; administrators could use Apex Learning for credit recovery courses.

Jim Germany, middle high assistant principal, said a district-wide plan for Apex Learning would cost a little under $10,000.

The school board approved the use of the pilot version of the Apex Learning platform for remote learners on Jan. 11.