ALE Application: Courses vs. Classes

In the ALE Application, there is a distinct difference between Courses and Classes.  Here we will outline those differences.  

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

• Courses can include goals, objectives, standards, learning activities, and 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 is made 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 Courses can be found here. 

Classes:  In the ALE application, you have the ability to 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 Classes can be found here. 

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 that have a direct connection 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.”