FAQs for Parents and Educators

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When can my student start?

ORVED is on asynchronous enrollment, meaning we don't have traditional terms/semesters/trimesters. Students may start a course at any time during the year, including summer. The only exception to this is our Moodle courses. For the 2011-2012 school year, Moodle courses must be completed by the end of June 2012. We will have summer 2012 course offerings within Moodle, and will post those offerings as soon as they become known.

Who is eligible to take an ORVED class?

We welcome any students within the state of Oregon whose home district has signed an IGA with NWRESD and ORVED. We leave it to districts to determine which of their students are best served by our program

How much does each ORVED class cost?

Each ORVED class costs $195 per .5 credits, or $100 per .5 credits if taught by a DISTRICT rather than an ORVED teacher.

Exceptions are:

Mandarin Chinese - $600 per .5 credit, but discounted to $400 when we reach 15 students in the section. (Discounted to $300 for spring of 2012 only)
Tillamook Bay CC – $200 per quarter

Why is there a different fee structure for courses taught by ORVED versus DISTRICT teachers?

Using an ORVED teacher means that NWRESD or one of our software vendors is furnishing the teacher. Using a DISTRICT teacher means that your own district is furnishing the teacher to instruct only your own district students.

Are your teachers licensed to teach in the state of Oregon?

Yes. All of our teachers are licensed to teach in the state of Oregon and are highly qualified in their subjects.

How many credits is an ORVED class worth?

Each ORVED class is worth .5 credits and is equivalent to one semester or 18 weeks of instruction.

How are ORVED classes graded?

ORVED classes are graded on a plus/minus letter grade scale. Students may earn from a C- to an A+. Please note that to be considered proficient, ORVED students must earn a 70% (C-) or better to pass a course. Anything below 70% is an F.

Are there any attendance requirements for students?

Yes. You can review the ORVED student agreement for more information. Students must communicate with each of their ORVED teachers 2x per week (email or phone are acceptable). This satisfies a state requirement. Students must also fulfill deadlines set by the teacher and class. Failure to meet a deadline or submit an assignment on time is considered the same as being absent from class.

Are there any additional fees for textbooks?

Generally speaking, students do not need to purchase additional textbooks or supplies for class. It is possible that basic supplies such as a ruler or calculator will prove helpful in math classes, or that certain language arts classes may require outside reading. If cost or access to materials is a concern at all within a specific course, please contact our principal, Kerri Smith.

How long do students have to complete classes?

Students have 18 weeks from their first log-in. We chose 18 weeks because that is the standard length of a high school semester, and each ORVED course is worth one semester or .5 credits. If students are taking multiple classes at a time, they only have 18 weeks total to complete all of those classes at once.

Who pays for the classes?

As of this time, the student's home district funds the classes. NWRESD functions as the billing agent for districts.

What are the technical requirements for a student taking ORVED classes?

  • All students need internet access that will permit them to log into their courses five days per week.
  • Students generally need an email account. For digital photography, they specifically need a Gmail account.
  • Accelerate Ed courses require the latest version of Flash. 
  • Moodle courses also require Flash and that pop-up blockers in browsers be turned off.
  • A PDF reader is recommended.
  • Students need a place to store documents and files they are working on for class.

Why is a test proctor necessary for some classes?

EdOptions, one of our software vendors, requires a test proctor to release exams to students. This is their policy to protect academic integrity. We respect the individual policies of our vendors.

What is the deadline to sign up for college courses?

The deadlines depend on the time of year, but normally they are at least a few weeks in advance. A minimum of 10 students per course is necessary to be able to offer the college courses. For this reason we sometimes don't know if we will be able to offer the courses until near the registration deadline.

In your district IGA, is the price "per student" in reference to an entire year or a single semester?

The price "per student" is always in reference to a single-semester, .5 credit course.

Can I apply to teach an ORVED class?

We would love to hear from you. At this time we are not accepting new applicants, but we anticipate doing so in the near future. Please send a letter of interest and your resume to our principal, Kerri Smith.

Do you provide training to District teachers wanting to teach an ORVED class? What is the cost?

We have not determined what that cost is yet. We are committed to making sure this is not a barrier, however. The fee will be nominal, and only for covering costs. The training is done via internet/computer. More information should be available later this year.