Dear UA Online Academy families,
On Monday we shared that we are looking for additional resources to support UA Online Academy students. Today we want to provide more information on the process we will use to select and implement new resources.
First, it is important to acknowledge that we have had many concerns arise about Acellus content, most notably at the elementary level. We have already had several videos removed from the platform. Most of these were due to concerns related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Some were also related to concerns with the quality and style of the presentation.
While we know that no one platform will be perfect, we do feel we must move our K-5 students away from the Acellus platform. We are currently analyzing three other options: Edgenuity, SchoolsPLP and Accelerate Education. We recognize that we may select more than one platform to serve different purposes.
In addition to analysis by the Teaching and Learning Department, we will have a team of teachers reviewing each platform option based on the rigor of the content and the instructional delivery. We will also have a group of parent volunteers review each platform to ensure it aligns with our expectations and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
We will work to ensure continuity of learning throughout this transition. Below are approximate timelines for both elementary and secondary students.
Elementary (K-5)
Elementary students will continue to use Acellus, with guidance from UA Schools teachers, for the remainder of this week. Next week, August 31 through September 4, our teachers will prepare activities for elementary students using other district resources such as Dreambox and Reading A-Z. These resources will be easily accessible to students through their district iPads, and teachers will provide guidance through Zoom sessions. The following week, September 8 through 11, elementary students will be transitioned to the new platform. Teachers will be able to view the progress that students made in Acellus to ensure an appropriate transition.
Secondary (6-12)
Secondary students will continue to progress through modules in Acellus for the next two weeks. Beginning the week of September 8, we will evaluate which secondary courses might remain in Acellus and which will move to the new platform.
We thank you for your patience and support while we make this transition. We truly believe this will allow us to provide all of our online academy students a high quality learning experience in a wide variety of courses.
Sincerely,
Andy Hatton, Ed.D.
Associate Superintendent of Learning and Leadership
Keith Pomeroy
Chief Academic Officer