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ACCESS Virtual Learning

Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators & Students Statewide

Parent & Student Information

Why Choose ACCESS Virtual Learning?

ACCESS Virtual Learning courses are designed for students who are motivated, comfortable using technology, and willing to take an active role in their learning. Successful students stay organized, communicate regularly, and seek assistance when questions or challenges arise.

For more than 20 years, ACCESS Virtual Learning has provided tuition-free, fully accredited online courses to students, schools, and districts across Alabama through funding from the Alabama State Department of Education. Today, ACCESS serves more than 130 school districts, over 400 schools, and more than 25,000 students statewide each year.

ACCESS courses are developed by curriculum specialists at The University of Alabama and are taught by Alabama-certified teachers, providing students with high-quality learning opportunities that support their academic goals and prepare them for future success.

  • Parents are encouraged to take an active role in supporting their student’s success. While ACCESS does not provide separate parent login credentials, parents may review course content and grades using their student's Schoology account and may request progress reports through their local school. Students receive their ACCESS login credentials from their school facilitator and access their courses through the ACCESS Schoology platform @accessvl.schoology.com. 

    Parents can support their students in multiple ways, including

    • Encouraging consistent participation and completion of coursework
    • Monitoring student grades through their school’s PowerSchool under “Grades from Other School Districts”
    • Asking students about their coursework and learning experiences
    • Reviewing completed and submitted assignments with their student
    • Ensuring technology and Internet access are functioning properly when students work from home
    • Supporting compliance with local school and ACCESS policies
    • Communicating with the school or ACCESS Support Center when questions or concerns arise

     

    Parents are also welcome to attend virtual Parent Meetings hosted by the Madison Regional Support Center to learn more about the ACCESS program.

    Parents are also encouraged to contact their student's ACCESS Support Center with questions. For additional information about ACCESS expectations, policies, and procedures, please refer to the ACCESS Policy Manual and the Alabama State Department of Education ACCESS website.

  • Getting Started

    Students receive their login credentials from their school-assigned facilitator(s) and access their courses through the ACCESS instance of Schoology at accessvl.schoology.com. If prompted to select a school, students should choose ACCESS Virtual Learning, Montgomery, AL, not their home school.

    All students must first complete Student Orientation in each ACCESS course to see the course materials. Orientation introduces students to course and system navigation, assignment submission, teacher communication, feedback review, grade monitoring, and other essential online learning skills. Orientation materials remain available throughout the course for future reference.

    Students may complete coursework at school, home, or another approved location; however, all tests and exams must be administered under the supervision of the school-assigned facilitator in accordance with ACCESS policies. Students may resubmit assignments and tests (excluding term exams) to improve their grades, subject to ACCESS policies.

    Student Support

    Students who need additional academic support may request assistance from an ACCESS Success Coach. Technical resources are also available within each course to help resolve common issues, including uploading documents and other technology-related concerns.

    Student Responsibilities

    ACCESS students are expected to do the following:

    • Follow all ACCESS policies outlined in the ACCESS Policy Manual
    • Follow course expectations and requirements described in the course syllabus
    • Stay on pace with assignments and deadlines outlined in the course pacing guide and ACCESS calendar
    • Engage in coursework daily
    • Review course updates regularly for announcements, assignment information, and additional instructions
    • Ask questions when the course content is not understood
    • Complete their own work
    • Communicate with teachers through Schoology Messages and respond promptly to teacher communications and requests for information.

     

    Students and parents must sign the Student Acknowledgement Form and agree to follow all ACCESS policies. The completed form should be returned to the student's school counselor or facilitator and kept on file at the school. Academic Integrity expectations are reviewed during Student Orientation and included in each course's information and materials. Consistent communication with ACCESS teachers and facilitators, along with regular engagement in coursework, is essential for success in an online learning environment.

    For more information, please contact your ACCESS Support Center or visit the  Alabama State Department of Education ACCESS Virtual Learning website and ACCESS Policy Manual.