Central Iowa Times

As many school districts in central Iowa select voluntary distance learning, Waukee High School is taking another route and mandating students 10 through 12 grades to complete schoolwork, according to The Des Moines Register.

The new setup comes just after Gov. Kim Reynolds said that schools will stay closed through April 30 due to the widespread of all things the coronavirus. School districts were able to inform the Iowa Department of Education if they wanted to offer voluntary coursework, required coursework, or have students make up for it when schools reopen their doors.

While high school students will be required to complete coursework online in Waukee Community School District, the younger students can follow the voluntary but “highly recommended lesson plans” method, The Des Moines Register reported.

The different methods began on Monday, April 13.

Waukee Community School District appears to be an anomaly as a majority of the school communities have adapted the voluntary learning process method.

Other school districts, like Bondurant-Farrar School District, anticipates reopening its doors on May 1 but will offer the voluntary method in the meantime. Teachers there will utilize Infinite Campus, Canvas and Google Classroom platforms to communicate with students regularly. Parents are also encouraged to stay up on all of the changes and needed information and resources via the district’s website.

Norwalk Community District is also following suit with a voluntary program for all students, pre-kindergarten all the way through seniors in high school. While it’s voluntary, students’ work could be reviewed and checked in an effort to make sure that they are still reaching their full potential in the non-traditional classroom setting.

Other districts that are taking on this method is Ankeny Community School District, Carlisle Community District, Indianola Community School District, Johnston Community School District, and Norwalk Community School District.