Day-to-Day Schedule

Pay Schedule

  • Teacher pay is detailed in the linked document, and you can refer to our most recent pay schedule on our website or in CAST (Connecting ACCESS Staff and Teachers). The pay schedule is subject to yearly changes.

Equipment Needed

  • ACCESS teachers need a strong internet connection, a computer that connects to the internet and the ability to download and open external documents including PDFs and Microsoft Office files.
  • We also recommend having speakers and a microphone (either as part of a headset or a dedicated mic) in order to participate fully in remote meetings with ACCESS Support Center staff or record any needed supplementary materials.

Class Size

  • Class size regulations shall be the same as for courses not taught via virtual learning. ACCESS seeks to maintain a teacher-pupil ratio of 1:29 or 750 student contacts per week. This guideline is designed to ensure that each teacher is able to respond adequately to student work and individual needs.
  • The maximum number of enrollments for an ACCESS teacher to have at any one time during the school year will be as follows:
    • Adjunct teacher – 60 traditional schedule enrollments, 60 virtual classroom instruction enrollments or 40 block schedule enrollments.
    • Full-time (or retired) teacher – 150 traditional schedule enrollments, 150 virtual classroom instruction enrollments or 100 block schedule enrollments.
    • If a teacher has a combination of enrollment types, the maximum will be determined by adding the traditional schedule enrollments to the virtual classroom instruction enrollments, plus 1.5 times the number of block enrollments. The total will not exceed the 150-student limit for a full-time teacher and 60 for an adjunct teacher. Support centers may choose smaller limits, but these maximums will be enforced.

Asynchronous Environment

  • ACCESS operates on an asynchronous learning model, meaning there is no livestreamed content and students and teachers are not required to be active in the course at the same designated times every day. This model allows students more flexibility in being adaptable to their school’s normal schedule and allows teachers more flexibility in grading and managing their own work time.

Schoology (General)

  • Schoology is the current ACCESS learning management system, used for hosting course content including tests, quizzes, assignments and discussions. 
  • Schoology Support

PowerSchool (General)

  • PowerSchool is the program the state of Alabama uses to view and process student grades, sometimes in coordination with Schoology.
  • PowerSchool Support

Opportunities

Become an ACCESS Teacher

Become a Subject Matter Expert

Mentor Teachers

  • Teachers new to ACCESS Virtual Learning will be assigned a staff mentor. The staff mentor will provide direction and supervision as needed.
  • New ACCESS teachers are expected to participate in additional required training provided by regional support centers via web conferencing, telephone, web-based instruction course shells and other instructional resources.

Professional Development Opportunities

  • New teachers are required to complete 6 hours of professional development by the end of May if they teach for the full academic year. Returning teachers are required to complete 2 hours of PD each academic year by the end of April. ACCESS Support Centers host live PD sessions from August to May, and these sessions are recorded so that teachers are able to complete their hours even if they aren’t able to attend sessions live. To receive PD credit, teachers must register on PowerSchool PL, complete the PD either by attending or viewing the live recording, and answer the PD quiz questions on the ALSDE Schoology Teaching and Learning site.

Is ACCESS right for you?

Teacher Expectations

  • Flexibility: Flexibility is an essential skill for ACCESS teachers. Students may be working from various locations at various times, and teachers may need to be flexible with pacing and other aspects of their courses.
  • Adaptability: ACCESS teachers need to be adaptable to be successful. Along with its rewards, virtual learning can come with new challenges!
  • Communication: ACCESS teachers should be comfortable communicating with students, facilitators, administrators, counselors, parents and ACCESS staff regularly via email, phone and through Schoology.
  • Grading Policy: ACCESS teachers are responsible for grading assignments according to ACCESS policy and syncing Schoology grades to PowerSchool for reporting.
  • Student Engagement: ACCESS teachers teach students who are new to online learning as well as students who have taken many online courses already, and ACCESS teachers need to be able to engage students from all backgrounds in online learning.
  • Interpersonal Skills: ACCESS teachers may need to communicate with facilitators, counselors, administrators and parents.
  • Digital Literacy: ACCESS teachers need to be digitally literate, familiar with communicating over email and a learning management system, and familiar with or able to learn to use software including Schoology and PowerSchool.
  • Internet Access: ACCESS teachers need a strong and reliable internet connection in order to teach effectively. 

About ACCESS

ALSDE What Is ACCESS Video Transcript

What is ACCESS?

ACCESS stands for Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide.

But what does that mean?

ACCESS is Alabama’s free public virtual learning program.

We provide free online and videoconferencing courses to students at public middle schools and high schools.

Students throughout the state of Alabama take ACCESS courses.

Our online classes can be taken any time, any place and at any pace.

Your child’s classes are taught by certified teachers, who guide your child through the course, answer questions, email your child and provide feedback on your child’s work.

ACCESS teachers will help your child succeed. Don’t be afraid to contact your child’s teacher with any questions or concerns.

Your child’s school should assign an on-site facilitator to support your child.

The facilitator is a school employee who will assist with technical problems, watch over your child during tests and help them stay on task.

If you don’t know your child’s facilitator, ask the school guidance counselor.

In addition to following the teacher’s rules and policies, make sure your child follows the facilitator’s rules and policies.

If your child works hard in the class and communicates regularly with the teacher for feedback, advice and help, your child can succeed in the ACCESS course.

Now that you know what ACCESS is, feel free to contact your support center with any questions at 334-242-9594.