WHAT IS THE MISSOURI COURSE ACCESS AND VIRTUAL SCHOOL PROGRAM (MOCAP)?
Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP) was established in 2007 as the state’s online school. It was previously known as Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MOVIP). Currently, MOCAP offers courses for 9th through 12th grade and plans to expand to grades K-12. Students can take courses from any Internet-connected computer, available 24-hours a day, seven days a week. MOCAP's mission is to offer Missouri students equal access to a wide range of high quality courses, and interactive online learning that is neither time nor place dependent.
WHY DO WE NEED MOCAP?
MOCAP allows Missouri to:
Expand the range of courses and opportunities offered to students
Offer courses for students when there are no qualified teachers to teach the course
Allow students to take a course not offered at the local school district
Provide courses for students who have schedules that prevent them from taking a course when it is offered. MOCAP offers “any time, any place” learning for Missouri students.
Present high quality instruction to students who are in alternative education settings
Provide additional support and extended time to students who failed to achieve in regular courses
Provides equity across programs and schools in the quality of instruction
HOW ARE MOCAP CLASSES STRUCTURED?
MOCAP students are guided through courses by Missouri-certified teachers. Courses are delivered over the Internet. To assure student success with online learning, a variety of technology resources (streaming audio and video, computer animations, email, live chats, etc.) are provided. Teachers communicate with students and parents on a regular basis via email, phone, online messaging, etc.
WHO ADMINISTERS THE MOCAP ONLINE PROGRAM?
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) oversees the administration of the MOCAP program. Local school disticts and charter schools are responsible for enrollment, monitoring progress of students, billing, and state assessments.
WILL MOCAP ISSUE STUDENTS A DIPLOMA?
No, MOCAP is not a school and does NOT offer a complete high school diploma program. Instead, we offer courses that will be applied to the student’s transcript at the local school toward graduation. Successful MOCAP students will graduate with a high school diploma from the local school district or charter school.
Private school or home schooled students will receive the credit that can be forwarded to the appropriate agency. We strongly recommend that private school students check with their school to see if they will accept MOCAP credit before they enroll.
HOW IS MOCAP DIFFERENT THAN HOME SCHOOLING?
Typically, home schooling involves the parent as a teacher. MOCAP uses Missouri-certificated teachers provided by our online software vendors. MOCAP is not a home school program, but many of our parents use MOCAP courses to educate their children at home. MOCAP does not issue a high school diploma; instead we offer courses that will be applied to the student’s transcript at the local school toward graduation.
Home schooling is one of the options available for meeting the state's compulsory attendance law, Section 167.031,RSMo. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) does NOT regulate or monitor home schooling in Missouri nor does it have authority to issue regulations or guidelines concerning home schooling.
HOW IS MOCAP DIFFERENT THAN OTHER ONLINE PROGRAMS?
MOCAP is a program run by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The department assures that all courses align to the Missouri Learning Standards and are taught by Missouri appropriately certificated teachers.
HOW MUCH TIME CAN A MOCAP STUDENT EXPECT TO SPEND WORKING ON THEIR COURSES?
A student should plan to spend at least one hour a day, five days a week, on each course. In other words, at least five hours per week on each course. This is similar to the amount of time a student would spend in a course at the local “brick and mortar” school.