Online Learning in 2021 DICE Program Full Online alternaive at capacity. By Haylie Blair
O
n November 16,2021 AHS Principal Angela Webster sent an email instructing staff to no longer refer students to the District Independent Contract Education (DICE) program. Webster was citing an email from the district that said the program was full and in fact had a waitlist of more than 30 students. According to the SLZUSD website DICE is a “Virtual Learning Program and is part of the San Lorenzo District Independent Contract Education (DICE) Program. DICE is considered an Independent Studies program for students in grades TK-12. To meet the needs of families… ,SLZ will offer an In Person and a Virtual option via DICE.” AHS counselor Shannon Bode explains the major difference between taking classes through DICE and enrolling in person at AHS. She believes that COVID has led to the increase in DICE enrollment. “DICE is limited to what they can offer as far as classes go you couldn’t take any AP classes. DICE is a good alternative. So many families wanted to take advantage of DICE because of
covid. DICE currently has a waiting list because of how full it is. We don’t have any resources to add more people. Right now we don’t have the option to recommend DICE.” Bode said Bode explains what types of people decided to enroll in DICE. But she still thinks that inperson school is a better option for kids. “Kids are doing DICE because of COVID and don’t want to put their family in danger of COVID. DICE is a limited program and you
wouldn’t be able to take AP classes. DICE is perfect for people that aren’t able to be in school for a good reason. But comparing DICE to in-person school, in-person school is definitely better.” Bode said Bode went into detail about how the future of DICE will look different from this year to the next. She hopes that the program will get a little bigger to accommodate the needs of students. “I think it will be less impacted. I think less families will choose to attend because COVID won’t be such a threat. I think DICE will be more organized and streamlined because they will have had more time to develop their
More students recovering credits
T
here are an estimated 375 students taking at least one class through the APEX learning virtual school this year. This is a significant Increase from previous years where there were an estimated 140 students in APEX classes,according to photography teacher Jeffery Baughman who oversees the program. APEX is an online program that is designed and made to help high school students with their credit recovery. Students who use APEX are talked to by counselors and their teachers help students work independently,reading and answering questions then complete tests and quizzes in/person to earn the credits they need to earn. Students enrolled in APEX courses are usually retaking a course from a previous year to improve their grade. According to 11th grade counselor Alexis
Senior Antony Diaz-De-Leon “I like Online scholing better because I paid attention more and it help me keep track of my work.”
program.” Bode said
Rise in APEX
By Robby Romero
Which do you like better online or in person? Why?
Horn there are more students taking classes in APEX this year because of the pandemic. She said that this may be because students were struggling to pass classes and earn credits in distance learning during the 2020-2021 school year. “There are many more this year for sure, since so many struggled earning credits during distance learning.” Horn said. Horn added that for the time being, enrolling students in APEX classes seems to be an effective way to help them recover those credits. ”APEX is by far a very effective online program because it has saved and continues to save students that failed classes” Horn said. “I have never researched alternative programs so I have no idea if it’s the best option out there, students need to have a way to make up their credits and this seems to work for many.”
Senior Christian Flores “I like in-person school because waking up in the morning I have more of a purpose.”
Senior Beza Engeda “I like in-person school better because it gives better opportunities to have a better understandng in school.” Photographer: Haylie Blair
CAMPUS
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