Report cards were made available to all DCSD students and parents on January 14, 2022. Channel 2 reported last week that 46% of the grades were failing as of Jan. 14. Targeted support, including but not limited to credit recovery and regional-based tutoring, has been and will continue to be provided. There are instances where schools authorize incompletes for students to have additional time to master the course content and/or make-up missed assignments. Flex Academy of Excellence is a public school Report . FLEX Academy administrative offices are located at. 4555 Central Drive; Stone Mountain, GA 30083; Phone: (678) 676-6302 Website by LINQ . Home Edwin Malekebu 2022-11-18T15:36:23-05:00. Teachers at this school haven't been funded on DonorsChoose yet. 3991 Snapfinger Rd. This is an opportunity for middle school students across the district to receive the highest level of classroom instruction from their home schools teacher, she said. Understand that its not the kids fault. Concerns about how to hold students accountable for their work while also trying to make up for the fact that the district messed up.. DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. Students learning virtually in DeKalb County Schools' FLEX Academy are finally back online after technology issues reportedly locked students out. Address. The district acknowledges that there were challenges faced the first weeks of the program. Wright told her teachers then, Were trying not to do a full blast and say, hey, youre going to have more time. Apply on employer site Job Salary Company Rating JobID: 7169 Position Type: 2023-2024 High School Teacher Pool/Teacher Science Date Posted: 2/22/2023 Location: FLEX Academy of Excellence It was not until Tuesday that she was finally able to see her assignments. Hunters son has attention deficit disorder. Start/ End Dates: June 1, 2022- June 17, 2022. Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping and providing student information to prospective colleges and employers, as required by district procedures and applicable laws. One source tells Channel 2 teachers will be paid Jan. 28. And Hunter is convinced that other Flex parents are facing the same problem. This does not change the grade, nor were any alterations made in Infinite Campus, the districts gradebook of record. Registration. Stone Mountain, GA. 30083 USA. Dekalb County Schools. Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans. Students in the rest of the DeKalb County school system were required to submit their first semester work by Dec. 17, but school officials have repeatedly moved the goal posts for FLEX students. But Wright is heard in the video we viewed that mismanagement by the district was so severe that students had to have extra time to finish their fall work. Its terrible. DeKalb County school officials have admitted the program was managed badly. Diana Hunter contends her 16-year-old special education son was moved into Flex without her authorization and with bad results. He deserves to have someone that can assist him when hes having trouble, and he didnt have that, Dianna Hunter said. Specialized focus was placed on those students who had little participation and missing assignments. DeKalb High School of Technology - South ; GEAR UP/ Academic and Career Development Programs; Learner's Permit/Driver's License/ Work Permit/ Verification of Enrollment; Registrar. With a solid background in educational research and evaluation, Dr. Wills has also served as a consultant to, or member of, numerous educational organizations and initiatives including, Mercer University Educational Study Panel, William Fulbright Scholar Program, Georgia Association of Educators, Association of Curriculum and Instruction, and Association of Supervision and Instruction. He fell through the hole. FLEX requires students to work almost entirely on their own. Students have to get their assignments online, complete the work and submit independently, and many have struggled. FLEX Academy sends out weekly reports to local school administrators and counselors detailing student progress. FLP Application Page . This means that our faculty, staff, and administrators will be committed to ensuring that a quality education, respect for education, and a tolerance for compassion and individuality will be strongly enforced. The district had been offering virtual learning through the Flex Academy for both middle and high school students, but once they hit capacity, they had to make a change. I have been putting it in since I got the new number, and its not been working. He says he needs to be able to log in. For FLEX Academy, APEX is the system where students review the content, as well as complete assignments and assessments. Students in the rest of the DeKalb County school system were required to submit their first semester work by Dec. 17, but school officials have repeatedly moved the goal posts for FLEX students. 4555 Central Drive; Stone Mountain, GA 30083; Phone: (678) 676-6302 Website by LINQ . The calendar tells the story. Im excited to announce the launch of my new website, A STEAM Accredited Technology and Environmental Focused Academy, Recognizes the important link between technology, agriculture and the environment, Promotes higher order thinking skills critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making, Motivates students by offering a real world context for learning, Engages learners in investigative, hands-on/minds-on, student-centered, and cooperative activities between industry and environmental groups, Correlates to state and national academic standards, Considers the environment in its totality, i.e., the co-existence of business and the environment. Staff Listing; Location; Staff Listing; Keatra Wright Director Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (via email) . 5931 Shadow Rock Dr. Lithonia, GA 30083; Phone: 678-676-8102; Fax: 678-676-8110 District Home; Parents; School Nutrition; Bus Routes . Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops or professional meetings, or by conducting research, and by maintaining professional relationships with members of institutions of higher learning and the business community. Belcher asked if she can recall authorizing the move. They have video access to their teachers. Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students. FLEX Academy utilizes designated staff (counselors and paraprofessionals) during the school day to reset assignments to providea quicker response to the students request. Plans and coordinates field trips to institutions of higher learning, businesses and other organizations related to guidance responsibilities. As a result, the students were provided extensions to ensure enough time to complete coursework. We are reclaiming our right to have superb learning experiences and I hope you all join me in Reclaiming D.A.T.E. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. An email provided to Channel 2 Action News shows that school officials directed FLEX teachers to submit their final fall grades last Friday, Feb. 4. What to do if a teacher offers a tutorial and no students take advantage of it; FLEX Academy is an asynchronous program which means students and teachers interact with the system and content at different times. FLEX Academy students are largely on their own. 2023 Cox Media Group. Flex Academy; Dekalb High School of Technology South; Work-Based Learning; . Thats it. It wasnt a crack. Dekalb County Schools. They get their assignments and are supposed to turn them in on time. in Decatur, Georgia that is part of Dekalb County School District. An early January video of a meeting of Flex teachers and their administrators included this remark from Keatra Wright, head of all online instruction for the 92,000-student district. One teachers concerns about any tampering with her gradebook; The gradebook of record for the DeKalb County School District is Infinite Campus. The district says thats because Flex got off to a chaotic start in August-September of last year. Stone Mountain, GA. 30083 USA. Dr. Wills skills as an educator and educational administrator have developed throughout a successful career in various fields of education. Some students are clearly struggling. FLEX Academy administrative offices are located at: Elizabeth Andrews High School. 2023 Cox Media Group. He doesnt have any grades.. Knowledge of differentiated instruction based upon student learning styles. can help close it. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc, Guidance Counselor (FLEX Academy of Excellence) 2023-2024. School officials told Channel 2 Action News last month, there is no mismanagement in the program, but a video of a Jan. 7 meeting involving teachers and school administrators revealed that everyone was well aware how badly managed FLEX was from the beginning of the first semester. [READ: Investigation finds more than 150 DeKalb County teachers were not paid for entire semester]. High demand from parents of middle school students for virtual learning required the district to adjust its instructional model, Parker said. {"usesDonorsChoose":false,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":240,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":82,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":58,"percentWhite":11,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":19,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"8 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true},"schoolId":129972,"callToActionDisplayName":"Flex Academy of Excellence","financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Flex Academy of Excellence on @DonorsChoose:","hasFundedProjects":false,"canonicalPageUrl":"schools/georgia/dekalb-county-school-district/flex-academy-of-excellence/129972","pageName":"schoolpage_129972"}, of students receive free or reduced price lunch, Source: the National Center for Education Statistics, of students are Black, Latino, Native virtually instructing middle school students. Then DeKalb County Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris ordered that the deadline be moved to Jan. 24. 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd. These scores are stored in a gradebook within APEX. Some experts believe an independent study program with little access to instructors is a bad fit for such students. Registration. Dr. Wills instructional leadership is deeply rooted in his philosophy of excellence and learning; Every student will learn, given the opportunity to embrace a climate of high expectations, a committed support system, and connections to the context of the real world, the Three Rs: Learning with Relationships, Relevance, and Rigor!. "There are less students in the virtual environment this year and their education is very important," McRae said. In DeKalb County,the demand forvirtual learning grew so fast, they had to switch gears on how they are virtually instructing middle school students. Parents were notified Friday of the change, the district said. Address. Most of the roughly 175 teachers are adjunct or part-time instructors who also work full-time teaching in-school classes. What does this mean for the D.A.T.E. ******The local School Counselor will review the student transcript to determine eligibility to participate in allSummer School 2022 programs. 2022 - May 31, 2022 Option 1: Flex Academy High School Virtual Summer School FLEX summer school will offer the Restore (55-69, 9th - 12th) and Ahead (seniors only) Course . Visit our calendar to learn more about the fun happenings we have going on! DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. A Channel 2 Action News investigation has found that DeKalb County school officials are deeply concerned about the potential for a high number of failing grades in the districts online FLEX Academy program that enrolled nearly 3,600 students last fall. Infinite Campus. Contact; Facebook Twitter Instagram. Also, FLEX Academy shared parent newsletters on October 1, October 11, and November 15. Ive called the counselor. As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Hunter says her son Brocari was enrolled at Cedar Grove High School through the end of the 2020-21 school year. She was grateful when she saw our Channel 2 stories that included school officials admitting that they mismanaged Flex last semester. Report Job. District Home; Parents; School Nutrition; Bus Routes; Quick Links. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work. Martin Luther King Jr. High School. . Flex Academy. family? Report . Your promo code has been successfully applied and will be reflected in checkout. Not that I can honestly recollect, Hunter responded. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Ability to communicate effectively with students and parents. We cannot wait for the last minute and then they start turning in all the assignments, the teacher said. Your gift is tax-deductible. Were losing. 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd. This was communicated to all parents desiring to enroll their children into the program. DeKalb County School District's Parent Resources Click the icon to visit the district's resources for parents. Encourages parental involvement in students' education and ensures effective communication with students and parents. One teacher tells Channel 2 grades will now be submitted Jan. 28. We recommend you upgrade your browser. Investigation finds more than 150 DeKalb County teachers were not paid for entire semester The teachers signed contracts promising them $6,500 for online work in addition to their classroom work. Get alerts to jobs like this, to your inbox. Coleman's 10th-grade daughter has been virtual for two years. FLEX summer school will offer: Flex Restore -previous failing grade of 55-69 for 9th - 12th grade students. DeKalb County School District. [RELATED: Nearly half of students in DeKalb school FLEX Academy are failing, investigation finds]. DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. A long and very difficult semester is over, or virtually over, for some 3,600 DeKalb County students enrolled in the school district's online FLEX Academy, which was beset . In order to provide synchronous or live instruction, each teacher is expected to facilitate a tutorial twice a week. When high school students are unsuccessful, schools implement credit recovery opportunities to support the diverse needs of students. High school students will be able to enroll in online core and elective classes, that meet the school's motto: flexible learning with excellence. Dianna Hunter, whose son was enrolled in FLEX, says a teacher told her, They have to be in today, which was Feb. 9. The District acknowledges that some students had challenges with accessing technology and content, transitioning to virtual learning, facing trauma as a result of the pandemic, and balancing responsibilities at the beginning of the semester. DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. A Channel 2 Action News investigation has found that DeKalb County school officials are deeply concerned about the potential for a high number of failing grades in the. We messed up first semester, so were making up for that. The district told 11Alive it will mirror how elementary schools are already teaching their students virtually through home schools. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team. The original posting deadline for all teachers in DCSD was January 10, 2022. Parents and Students,This year, D.A.T.E.s faculty, staff, and administration will continue to make an unprecedented effort to reclaim excellence in education, provide educational opportunities for all, and enhance authentic engagement of learning. The adjuncts are required to work 10-hours a week, but they are only required to be available for online, face-to-face instruction or tutoring two hours a week. Recently, Dr. Wills has been invited as a guest lecturer to speak on behalf of the charter school movement in America in England. Online students were initially extended from Dec. 17 to Jan. 14 to complete their work. Parent Online Resources: Stone Mountain High School Sample policy statement. Obtains and disseminates information regarding occupational opportunities to students and to classes studying occupations. 2023. Flex Academy. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Were losing. . DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. Three weeks into the school year and COVID-19 is affecting school districts across metro Atlanta in different ways. She told Belcher its been deeply frustrating to try to reach someone who can help her son. Georgia Virtual Credit Recovery. Address. She said her child has faced problems with grades and assignments disappearing for days on end. Check your email to verify your account and get started on your first project. Hunter said her 16-year-old son, Brocari, was enrolled in FLEX last fall without her authorization. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. About 160 Flex teachers, who teach the online courses in addition to classroom instruction, are supposed to be paid $6500 at the close of the semester, but their payday was pushed back because of the extensions of time for students to complete their work. Channel 2 investigative reporter Richard Belcher uncovered a district document that showed nearly half of the students fall semester grades were failing as of late last week. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Assists students in evaluating students' aptitudes and abilities through the interpretation of individual standardized test scores and other pertinent data, and works with students in developing education and occupation plans consistent with such evaluation. DeKalb bus driver, single mother of 3 surprised with new home. Motor Vehicle Operator's License or ability to provide own transportation. During the meeting, a concern was expressed about designated staff being allowed to reset/unlock assignments. Contact. Infinite Campus. DeKalb schools has 2,031 students enrolled in FLEX Academy, which started in 2017 to provide high school students with virtual learning options. This was communicated to all parents desiring to enroll their. Flex Ahead - SENIORS ONLY/ 2022 Cohort. That is about 54%. FLEX Academy staff also hosted two parent meetings to increase parental awareness. Contact Edwin Malekebu 2022-11-18T15:01:36-05:00. We're a charity that makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. But publicly the district insisted there is no mismanagement.. Flex Academy, as the school district calls it, enrolled almost 3,600 DeKalb students last fall in a program that leaves students largely on their own. "I hate to say I'm disappointed in it, but they were not prepared for the volume of students that signed up," said Coleman. 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Nearly half of students in DeKalb school FLEX Academy are failing, investigation finds, An investigation into student performance at the Dekalb County FLEX academy, Investigation finds more than 150 DeKalb County teachers were not paid for entire semester. Channel 2 obtained a link to the video of the meeting which enabled us to report on the troubles. Address. Per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), the District must safeguard student information. In a letter sent home to parents on Friday, the district stated "due to the the demand for middle school students to participate in virtual learning exceeding the capacity at the district's Flex Academy, middle school students receiving virtual instruction will now be taught by teachers at their home school utilizing a hybrid model.". Put another way, there were 46% failing grades at that time. As a teacher-founded nonprofit, were trusted by teachers, donors, administrators, and partner organizations across the country. Channel 2s investigative reporter Richard Belcher says grades for the fall semester still havent been submitted because of repeated extensions of the semester to allow struggling students to finish their work. Flex Academy of Excellence is a public school in Decatur, Georgia that is part of Dekalb County School District. Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth. Infinite Campus. Assists students in making course and subject selections, as well as with evaluating career interests and choices. Finally, we have a document dated January 14 showing that there were 21,145 grades at that times, and 11,412 were passing grades. Withdrawal Date: June 6, 2022. We've earned the highest possible ratings from Charity Watch, Charity Navigator, and Guidestar. The Academy will improve student achievement via a curriculum which: Recognizes the important link between technology, agriculture and the environment Promotes higher order thinking skills - critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making Motivates students by offering a real world context for learning The school district did not provide a statement for our story. Applications for Potential E-SPLOST Advisory Committee Members, Additional Support Services and Resources, College, Career, SAT, ACT and Scholarship Information, GEAR UP/ Academic and Career Development Programs, Learners Permit/Drivers License/ Work Permit/ Verification of Enrollment, Summer School 2022 Student Registration Request. The designated staff members do not have direct oversight of students, teach, or enter grades in the official gradebook. Channel 2 Action News has filed an open records request with the school district to find out the distribution of fall grades for students enrolled in FLEX. Easy 1-Click Apply (DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT) Region 6 _ Social Studies Teacher HS (FLEX Academy of Excellence) 2023-2024 job in Stone Mountain, GA. View job description, responsibilities and qualifications. Helpful Information; Helpful School Information; Registration FAQ's; Transcripts; CTAE Information; FLEX ACADEMY; Flexible Learning Program. The goal of DeKalb Agriculture Technology & Environment, Inc. is to educate a student population about the essential need to consider environmental, agriculture, technological ramifications, and other business decisions, via a hands-on, community-oriented instructional curriculum. . Mother says son has not been able to log into online teaching program since Thanksgiving. Channel 2 notified district officials of our intent to air a story about Diana Hunter and her son, but federal privacy rules dont allow education officials to discuss individual students. It's a move Coleman hopes will give the high schoolers still in Flex the bandwidth and resources they need to stay on track. Registration. Teachers made phone calls to parents regarding grades.