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STEUBENVILLE -- As schools shut down amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jefferson County Educational Service Center is doing its part to assist teachers and students alike.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued closures for the remainder of the school year in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus, but the homebound teachers and students have relied upon instructional materials known as blizzard bags and online coursework to maintain an education. JCESC has provided help in that realm to prevent disruption to student learning.
Administrative Assistant Mark Masloski said technology has been an optimum tool to help students maintain their education outside the classroom.
"We've worked with them and have two platforms: Virtual Learning Academy and Progress Book. Progress Book is something classroom teachers use in the Ohio Valley that puts grades into the gradebook, but they can also use the curriculum. When students complete assignments their grade goes directly into the gradebook," Masloski said. "VLA is for individual students with a VLA account. Overall, we've had an increase but we've had more schools do Progress Book."
He said the online method provides flexibility so students can work at any time, plus they may also speak on videoconferencing programs such as Zoom and Google Hangout to discuss lessons. One upside is that younger generations are more tech-savvy and have been adapting to their altered educational environment. For those with limited computer or Internet access, printable lessons are available to help keep all of the students on track.
"I think they have been pretty adaptable and are definitely not far behind (in their schooling). We've also been doing more training with teachers and staff," he said, noting that JCESC staff also videoconference regularly and update VLA courses as needed.
Coy Sudvary, principal at Wellsville High School in Columbiana County, said his students were utilizing VLA to assist with their studies.
"We are using the VLA curriculum," he said. "Teachers are posting lessons in Progress Book and also into Google Classroom. We are using it in grades 8-12 in various content."
Sudvary said the VLA curriculum has allowed staff to use the state-aligned curriculum to support online learning for students and most of the pupils have adapted to the online format. Some students do struggle but that is primarily due to lack of Internet access or technology at home.
"The VLA curriculum has been very beneficial and easy to use for our staff and students. We appreciate the support and trainings the JCESC has provided Wellsville Schools," Sudvary said.
Austin Cable, an eighth-grade teacher at Indian Creek Middle School, said while the change has been an adjustment, he has still been able to ensure pupils were keeping up to date with their studies. Cable said he has been utilizing the ESC's science curriculum for his classes along with the Discovery Education Techbook that students used while still in school.
"The online curriculum has helped the lessons to stay Ohio standards-based, and when they complete the assignments their grades get communicated directly to Progress Book, which is the platform we use to keep track of our grades and assignments," he said. "As for students adapting to working from home, they have adapted well and ask questions through e-mail. It is a bit more complicated to communicate online but everyone is learning some new skills and finding their way through. Sometimes we have students that say they want to be schooled from home and this is a great trial run for them and their parents. I think it will be interesting to see if any make the transition once we get back to the physical school building."
Meanwhile, JCESC officials also conducted an online professional development session with educators in the Indian Creek Local School District. Ron Sismondo, JCESC director of curriculum and professional development, said the session was done using the Zoom videoconferencing program which has been a great tool for distance-meeting sessions. Sismondo used the platform to inform teachers about the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System, or OTES 2.0, which is the new system for evaluating teachers and will replace OTES 1.0 beginning in the 2020-21 school year.
"This transition will take place for all districts that have renewed their collective bargaining agreement after Nov. 2, 2018," he said. "If districts have a collective bargaining agreement in place before that time, they will remain with the OTES 1.0 system until they negotiate a new agreement and then will transition to OTES 2.0."