Approval of Online Courses | Westford Public Schools

Teachers may request approval of an online course for reimbursement or column advancement on the salary scale.

Online courses are subject the same approval requirements as other courses and must meet the Criteria for Online Courses for Educator Preparation of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. These criteria can be found in the publication Massachusetts Recommended Criteria for Distance Learning Courses.

Among the attributes of any rigorous graduate level course is the maintenance of an online community which allows exchanges of ideas, interpretations, and strategies by course participants. The Massachusetts Criteria in regard to an online community are as follows.

C. The course provides frequent and timely interactions between the participants and the online instructor, as well as among the participants.

1. Participants are encouraged to take part in online discussions, work together in online group activities, and provide feedback to one another to improve their practice.

2. The online instructor sets clear expectations regarding the amount and quality of participation required.

3. The online instructor monitors participants’ discussions and postings of work on a daily basis and responds to participants’ inquiries within 24 hours.