Pickens Virtual Academy Director, Anita Walker presented an update on virtual learning.  The board of Education meeting in Pickens County on December 10th presented data gathered from a report on November 20th in an open forum.

The information provided was in regards to students who are on track and not on track in their classes. The data focused on the progress of students. The assessment was based upon 3 out of 4 core courses for students k-8. High School students were assessed based upon the progress of 4 courses successfully completed because they receive 1 credit per course.

Director Walker decided to focus on 6-8 grade students who were not on track.  She looked at each course the individual student was on track in and found out how many hours was spent on that class.  The criteria for virtual students was to spend 1 hour per course per day to successfully complete their courses. Director Walker expressed taking personal calls and keeping a log of parental concerns/challenges in regards to the virtual online learning classroom experience. Among the concerns of parents were:

. Parents did not like Pearson initial technology issues

. Too difficult

. Time commitment-parent work schedules; student ability to manage time

. Child could not focus

Kindergarten through grade 5 scores success rate were higher than students 6-8 grades. According to the data, it was primarily due to parents actually sitting down with the younger students verses the older students left alone to complete their assignments. In addition the lower level grades had more videos. Students are used to teachers delivering the information through power point or lectures to students, therefore this has impacted the success rate on virtual learning.

Pickens County Board of Education Superintendent Dr Rick Townsend expressed that teachers are available for extra help and tutoring to keep students on task. Teachers have been known to give group and individual help to students that are in need via Zoom or Google Meets.