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Accessibility and Mobility for Mississippi Adults

Orion High School announces the Wristband Graduation Program, a graduation program that specifically targets adults in Mississippi (during August-October), and then seeks to expand to other states.  The project offers mobility and accessibility for adults, as they work to earn their high school diploma.

Orion High School is one of the first digital schools in the country to acquire accreditation through Advanced Education, the parent company of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; and, Orion's most advanced courses, College Board AP, are approved by the College Board.

wristband project article picture

Over the years, Orion has created pathways for adults, and others, who are not necessarily connected to the Internet, to be able to adhere to Orion’s policies regarding Authenticity of Student Work, as well as Orion’s Diploma Eligibility Policies. To that end, we have created the Orion Wristband Connect Project, which is available for adults, ages twenty-five and older, living in the state of Mississippi.  Orion's test state during August/September will be in Mississippi, and we will extend based on our internal data collection.

 

Why Adults and Why Mississippi?

 

Busy adults (and others) are not necessarily able to log in throughout the day to be able to access their coursework. In the digital age, course work must be accessible, beyond connecting to the Internet, and through the Orion Wristband Connect Project, we have made it possible for learners to stay ‘disconnected’ while still being able to access their coursework. Through the Orion Wristband Connect Project, learners receive a data wristband that is pre-loaded with their courses. Orion saw the need to be able to provide a disconnected version of courses because of both the feasibility of the wristbands as well as the ease of using the wristband as an accessory so that the learner does not lose the wristband (like other jump drives). The wristband is simply a jump drive that is shaped into a mobile wristband that can be worn by the user.

 

The user receives the wristband, fully loaded with all required courses. The user also receives a step by step guide to opening and using the wristband. The learner receives a graduation planner that guides him or her on exactly which courses must be taken.  The wristband arrives in the mail, and the user connects the wristband via a USB, without the need to be connected to the Internet.

 

Accessibility and Mobility for Mississippi Adults

Orion High School announces the Wristband Graduation Program, a graduation program that specifically targets adults in Mississippi (during August-October), and then seeks to expand to other states.  The project offers mobility and accessibility for adults, as they work to earn their high school diploma.

Orion High School is one of the first digital schools in the country to acquire accreditation through Advanced Education, the parent company of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; and, Orion's most advanced courses, College Board AP, are approved by the College Board.

wristband project article picture

Over the years, Orion has created pathways for adults, and others, who are not necessarily connected to the Internet, to be able to adhere to Orion’s policies regarding Authenticity of Student Work, as well as Orion’s Diploma Eligibility Policies. To that end, we have created the Orion Wristband Connect Project, which is available for adults, ages twenty-five and older, living in the state of Mississippi.  Orion's test state during August/September will be in Mississippi, and we will extend based on our internal data collection.

 

Why Adults and Why Mississippi?

 

Busy adults (and others) are not necessarily able to log in throughout the day to be able to access their coursework. In the digital age, course work must be accessible, beyond connecting to the Internet, and through the Orion Wristband Connect Project, we have made it possible for learners to stay ‘disconnected’ while still being able to access their coursework. Through the Orion Wristband Connect Project, learners receive a data wristband that is pre-loaded with their courses. Orion saw the need to be able to provide a disconnected version of courses because of both the feasibility of the wristbands as well as the ease of using the wristband as an accessory so that the learner does not lose the wristband (like other jump drives). The wristband is simply a jump drive that is shaped into a mobile wristband that can be worn by the user.

 

The user receives the wristband, fully loaded with all required courses. The user also receives a step by step guide to opening and using the wristband. The learner receives a graduation planner that guides him or her on exactly which courses must be taken.  The wristband arrives in the mail, and the user connects the wristband via a USB, without the need to be connected to the Internet.

 

Accountability When Ready

Each wristband course module has an end-of-module test, that must be passed with a 70% or better. Orion High School requires all learners to be accountable, that is, we need to know that the test taker is indeed the learner who has been assigned to take the assessment. Approved locations allow the learner, to go to an approved location that has reliable Internet Access, along with someone who knows Orion! You do not have to log in to Orion; you simply connect your wristband, and go to the assessment slide and begin your assessment.

 

We call these the 'plug in' locations.  At the plug-in locations, facilitators assist by contacting Orion High School to let us know that the learner will be taking an identified exam.  The learner begins the exam, and must pass the exam with a 70% or better before being allowed to move to the next module.  Once all module exams are taken and passed (at a Plug In Location), then the learner receives credit for that course.

Earning Credits

As many as sixteen credits in the core courses may be earned through the Orion Wristband Connect Project. In our example, here, Math 1 is a full credit, and so forth. Learners will be provided with a wristband that contains the courses required. In some cases, however, a learner may require additional courses. If that is the case, Orion will require the learner to connect at an approved location, and Orion will ‘refill’ the wristband with the appropriate courses.

Eligibility and Admissions

The following groups are eligible for the Orion Wristband Connect Project:

  • Adults 25 years of age or older, who reside in Mississippi, and who have enrolled in the program through Southern Dreams Mentoring (Melvin Anderson).
  • Approved youth programs in Mississippi (approved by the program and by Orion High School)

The application must be filled out entirely.  The total cost for the program is $200.00.  A $50.00 graduation fee will be assessed upon successful completion of the program. 

apply now

 

 

Sponsor an Adult/GoFundMe!

If you think this is a worthwhile cause, please consider donating to our crowd funding account.  This account is earmarked for adults who have dropped out of high school, but who are dropping back in via this program.  Until the crowd fund reaches at least $5000.00, each individual must pay his or her tuition of $200.00.  After the level is reached, we will begin allowing adults to access the Program by using our crowd fund account.