ACCESS

ACCESS stands for the Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide program. I mentioned it in the ALEX blog I wrote, but I will expound upon it now. ACCESS "provides opportunities and options for Alabama public high school students to engage in Advanced Placement (AP), elective, and other courses to which they may not otherwise have access."

ACCESS offers video conferencing and web-based courses. ACCESS also offers what is referred to as "blended" courses, which are in-person meetings or virtual field trips, in addition to the video conferencing and web-based courses. The courses are offered in English, social studies, science, mathematics, foreign languages, health, and the arts. There are also electives to choose from.The courses are accessed during normal school hours and the schools must provide computers to the students. The courses are also free of charge to public high school students in Alabama. Besides being able to access courses some people would not normally get to take, students can get exempt from certain exams by following certain procedures and meeting certain criteria.

I heard about Advanced Placement when I was in high school, but I never took advantage of the opportunity. I also did not know that it was part of a bigger program (ACCESS). I was already busy enough and I knew it would be more challenging and I was not willing to put out the effort. I do believe that ACCESS is a great opportunity that students should be encouraged to take advantage of!

I will encourage students to make use of ACCESS where I work. It is a way to take their education into their own hands and excel to a higher degree. It does seem like students have to be more self-motivated to be successful because this program is not required. Students will need all the support they can get! Also, who wouldn't want to get exempt from an exam here or there?