PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
(or Frequently Asked Questions)
WHAT IS STUDENTLINK?
StudentLink is a self-directed learning program open to students in grades 9-12. Teachers work directly with students to help them develop learning goals and projects, provide tutoring and instruction (minimal because of limited time/staff availability), evaluate work, and assess progress toward graduation. Students and parents are invited to work together as a team, but the choice of how involved the parent wants to be is up to the family.
HOW DO I APPLY TO STUDENTLINK?
The prospective student (or parent) talks with a StudentLink staff person to start the application process. A meeting with a StudentLink teacher, the student and a parent(s) is scheduled to determine if StudentLink is a good fit for the student. If all parties agree that the program and the student are a good match, then the student/parents fill out enrollment forms. Students wishing to transfer from VHS to StudentLink may do so only at the beginning of a trimester. All paperwork must be complete before the student can be enrolled.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ENROLLED IN STUDENTLINK?
Students meet weekly with their teacher to develop and carry out their own individualized learning plans. When designing each student’s learning plan, we seek to integrate the student’s passions, interests and learning styles along with the credits and essential learnings that the student needs to earn for graduation. In this process, the students are the ones primarily responsible for initiating, designing and implementing their learning plans. Many courses that the students design are interdisciplinary and/or community-based. In our program, the teacher is a learning coach, advocate, resource and ally in the student’s learning journey. The students take responsibility for their minds and their time. Students use our own electronic portfolio software to design their courses, plan their assignments, document and display their progress, align their work to state standards, assess their learning, and reflect on their growth.
HOW DO I EARN CREDIT?
Students (with help from their StudentLink teacher) develop written student learning plans (WSLPs) that meet expectations for high school level work and state standards in applicable subject areas. A full credit will take approximately 140 hours to do and a half credit about 70 hours (about the same “amount” of work and time as a typical one-trimester high school class). Each week, students carry out agreed-upon tasks to fulfill their learning plans and keep all their work in a portfolio. Once the learning plan is complete, credit is awarded. The teacher and student together evaluate the contents of the portfolio and the portfolio as a whole. StudentLink does not issue grades; all credits receive a pass once the learning contract is completed and the agreed-upon criteria for success are met. Students and parents receive regular evaluation reports.
WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDENTLINK AND VHS?
StudentLink students may take 1 class per trimester at VHS. StudentLink teachers act as academic counselors for those StudentLink students enrolled part-time at VHS, advising them on selecting classes that meet their graduation plans and interests. Classes may be elective or academic, as long there is space available. Students may also attend Running Start through StudentLink. Credits earned at VHS or Running Start can count toward a StudentLink diploma, but credits earned through StudentLink do not necessarily transfer back to VHS (i.e., count toward a VHS diploma).
HOW DO I EARN A DIPLOMA?
In order to receive a StudentLink diploma, a student must earn a minimum of 20.5 credits. Academic course/credit requirements are similar to VHS; StudentLink requires fewer elective credits to graduate. Those students planning to attend college are encouraged to take more credits as required by the college(s) of their choice. A StudentLink diploma is not the same as a Washington State diploma; it is a Vashon Island School District-issued diploma. StudentLink seniors participate in most graduation activities, including scholarship notebooks, graduation rehearsal and ceremony.
HOW DO I KNOW IF STUDENTLINK WILL BE A GOOD “FIT” FOR ME?
Student Link works best for students who are:
• Willing to be creative (it’s not worksheets).
• Willing and able to manage their time and work independently.
• Well organized or willing to learn to be better organized.
• Open to coaching from StudentLink teachers or community mentors, and willing to share accomplishments and learning with others.
• Willing to talk with their parents about what they are doing and sometimes to involve them in their work.