💡ALE The Difference Between Courses and Classes V2

There is a distinct difference between Courses and Classes in the ALE Application. Here we will outline those differences.   

Courses

A Course can be created and saved in the ALE Application with the attached content. Once created, these courses become a template - available to copy directly to Written Student Learning Plans or to Schedule Class Meetings based on that content.   

• Courses can include goals, objectives, standards, learning activities, evaluation methods, and timelines. 
• The district-approved curriculum, required materials, and other resources can be outlined. 
• Once built, a course template stays active in your catalog until it is inactive.  
• When a template is copied into a student learning plan, you can individualize the content for the student without affecting the course template itself.  

Helpful Resources:  ✏️ ALE Creating & Editing Courses V2

Classes  

In the ALE application, you can schedule a “Class.”  A class has certain characteristics:  

• It involves a group of students
• There is a regular time and place the class meets in a certain location, for a certain term (semester/quarter)
• The class may or may not be tied to a course.
• Classes can be added to a student's schedule (by parents, if set up that way, the certificated teacher, or a registrar)
• Attendance can be recorded for the class (and if done by a certificated teacher, this will generate weekly contact records)

Helpful Resources: ✏️ ALE Creating & Editing Classes V2

OSPI defines this difference as 

“Courses are units of study, i.e., English 9, geometry, grade 3 comprehensive studies, and Science 8. Classes are in-person experiences that support the courses listed on a student’s WSLP. Students may be enrolled only in classes that have a direct connection to their WSLP courses. For example: A student with only ELA, Math 6, Social Studies on their WSLP may not take a science class in horticulture, but a student in a 6th-grade comprehensive course may.”

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