Extended Learning provides the opportunity for students to acquire skills and knowledge outside of the traditional classroom setting. Souhegan High School allows extended learning opportunities as a means of meeting the diverse learning needs of students with varied interests, talents and developmental needs. ELOs require a Souhegan High School faculty member as a cooperating teacher, and often involve a community partner. Any costs related to, and transportation to and from, an Extended Learning Opportunity are the responsibility of the student/family.
ELOs can take a number of variety forms, depending on the particular interest of the student and the content of what they would like to learn. These are some of the types of ELOs that students can engage in:
Independent/Advanced Study
Variable Credits
Sophomores, juniors and seniors
Students who have a special interest not offered as a formal course, may work with a cooperating teacher and ELO coordinator to design a course based on their needs and interests. Certain courses may sometimes be taken independently if they did not fit into a student's schedule. Such studies must meet the equivalent of a course in terms of expectations and rigor. Independent studies are assessed on a Pass/NC basis, and the credit awarded varies depending on the scope of the competencies for the course.
Internship
Variable Credit
Sophomore, juniors and seniors
Students gain real world experience in a work environment under the supervision of a community partner. The ELO coordinator can aid students in finding a suitable internship site. Students must complete workplace hours, and demonstrate mastery of key skills and competencies outlined in the ELO Design. Credit is determined by the scope of the competencies mastered during the internship, including a reflection, presentation and often a research component.
Project-Based Learning
Variable Credit
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
Project based learning allows students to complete an inquiry driven project tailored to an area of specific interest. Project based learning ELOs will include a cooperating teacher and a community partner that will aid the student in a mentorship capacity. To earn credit for a project based learning ELO, students must achieve mastery of the competencies specific to their ELO design plan, which would include a reflection, research, product and presentation component.
Online Coursework
Variable credit
Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors
The Virtual Learning Academy Charter School offers online courses, tuition free, to any student residing in NH. The Academy's goal is to use the latest internet technology to provide our state's high school students with anytime, anywhere internet access to a rigorous, personalized education. Souhegan students are expected to seek offerings at VLACS over other online high school course programs. Approval for online courses follows a slightly different process than other ELOs, students should meet with their counselor to discuss the course they would like to take and complete an Application for Credit with their counselor. Check www.vlacs.org for more information about their offerings.
Souhegan High School ELO Process
Application Process:
- Schedule a meeting with school counselor to discuss possible ELO.
- Complete ELO Request Form and review with ELO coordinator.
- The student and ELO coordinator will identify appropriate cooperating teacher and/or community partner.
- Once the student's eligibility is determined, and initial request approved, the ELO
Coordinator will assist the student in preparing the ELO Design, using the ELO Design
Template and other necessary paperwork. The ELO Design must be submitted for
approval at least ten (10) school days prior to when the ELO is proposed to begin. Waivers to the ten (10) school day submission requirement may be granted at the ELO Coordinator's discretion, provided all other criteria are satisfied.
- The ELO Coordinator will review the ELO Design with the committee or designee and a decision for approval will be made within ten (10) school days of receipt. If additional information is needed, it must be submitted within one week of receipt of the request. If approval is not granted, please refer to the ELO policy for appeals process.
- Once the ELO Committee has approved the ELO Design, the student must obtain
parental/guardian approval using the ELO Agreement Form. In addition, approval may
also be needed from leadership, student services, other certified educators, and/or
community partners as necessary. If a community partner is involved, the Community Partner Agreement Form will need to be completed.
- If the student is approved for an off-campus ELO, an Off-Campus ELO Permission Form
must be signed by the student and parent/guardian.
- All ELO Forms can be found on the SHS website or in the ELO office.
Active ELO Process
- After the plan has been approved and all relevant paperwork has been signed, student will begin the ELO.
- The student is expected to reflect upon the ELO throughout the process. These reflections may take the form of journaling, portfolios, conversations, vlogs, blogs, etc.
- The student will meet regularly with the cooperating teacher and/or ELO coordinator as outlined in the approved plan.
- If there is a community partner, the overseeing cooperating teacher and student will obtain feedback as outlined in the ELO Design Plan. The community partner will also provide final feedback at the completion of the ELO.
- About one month before the completion of ELO, the student should schedule a meeting with ELO coordinator and cooperating teacher/community partner to review progress for completion of research, reflections, product and/or to schedule a presentation.
ELO Evaluation
Upon completion of an ELO, a student will submit all required components outlined in the ELO Design Plan to the ELO coordinator and cooperating teacher. The ELO coordinator, cooperating teacher, and/or committee will assign a grade for the student's transcript using the corresponding rubrics. As a general guideline, students who are enrolled in:
- Service aide ELO's will need to complete reflections.
- Career exploration ELO's will need to complete research and reflections.
- Independent coursework ELO's will need to complete research, reflections, and a product.
- Advanced study, internships, and project based learning ELO's will need to complete research, reflections, a product, and a presentation.