Online program seen as boon to YUHSD

High school students will soon have the option to take online courses through Yuma Union High School District after approval by the governing board Wednesday.

An intergovernmental agreement was approved by the group, through the Mesa Distance Learning Program (MDLP). It will allow students to choose from a collection of about 100 online courses starting the middle of the upcoming fall semester.

Associate superintendent Mark Bastin explained that not only will this help the district to regain funding for students who have previously dropped out and decide that online classes would work easier for them, but it will also allow for a greater variety of class options.

Now that the agreement has been approved, a committee will be formed to determine various policies, including student use and the pricing of courses.

While the A+ program online was previously an option for students at YUHSD to make up class credits, the district did not receive funding for those students. Now it will regain that funding through the three-year agreement with MDLP.

Whether a student is already enrolled in the district, has previously dropped out or is simply a resident of Arizona, YUHSD can gain funding for those students.

Superintendent Toni Badone noted that the application process took time, and they are excited to finally be able to offer this program as an alternative for students.

Throughout the course of the agreement, Bastin explained that the district will have time to purchase the necessary equipment and hire the personnel to make sure this implementation is done correctly, as they plan to take the project on fully in-house in the future.

The district was approved by the Arizona Department of Education to become an Arizona Online Instruction provider in May and although the services will be contracted through MDLP, when the students log in to the system, the webpage will display YUHSD's logo, Bastin said.

Bastin commented that with the push for students obtaining 21st century skills, it will also be beneficial for students to become familiar with taking online classes, given the likelihood that they will have to take at least one online course while in college.

“It could be any student that is trying to recover a credit, it could be a student that wishes to take an additional class, they may be a high school senior that is on a four-hour day that wants to take another class or it could be a student that for disciplinary reasons or health reasons will have a long-term absence from school,” he said, noting that online courses may also be a learning style preference for some.

Students will also have the opportunity to take online classes if there is a course that their school doesn't offer that is available online, Bastin explained.

In other meeting news, board member Bruce Gwynn was elected as the vice president of the governing board with the recent resignation of board member Sally Doyle.

Lastly, former Gila Ridge teacher Derek Bosch was approved as the school's assistant principal of athletics.

Sarah Womer can be reached at swomer@yumasun.com or 539-6858.