ALE Application: The Difference Between Courses and Classes

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, methods of evaluation, and timelines. 
• District-approved curriculum, materials needed, 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 to a student learning plan, you may then individualize that content for the student without affecting the course template itself.  

Additional Documentation about Creating a Course.

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 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)

Additional Documentation about Creating a Class. 

OSPI defines this difference as 

“Courses are units of study, i.e., English 9, geometry, grade 3 comprehensive studies, Science 8. Classes are in-person experiences that support the courses listed on a student’s WSLP. Students may only be enrolled in classes directly connected to the courses on their WSLP. 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.”