Introduction

The New Hampshire Department of Education defines extended learning as, "the primary acquisition of knowledge and skills through instruction or study outside of the traditional classroom methodology, including, but not limited to: independent study; private instruction; performing groups; internships; community service; apprenticeships; and, online courses."

Through the Personalized Pathways (P2) Experiential Learning Opportunity (ELO) Course Credit program, VLACS can assist schools with implementing experiential learning opportunities for their students. Funded by the New Hampshire Department of Education and in collaboration with New Hampshire school districts, the Experiential Learning Opportunity Program is designed to reduce the drop-out rate by providing students with the opportunity to customize their learning by blending online and experiential education.

Local School Requirements

1. Assist students with the development of an ELO experience
2. Attend an ELO orientation
3. To register to attend an ELO orientation send and email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Personalized Pathways Experiential Learning Opportunities Process

Pre ELO Experience

1. Student and local school official determine that earning course credit through an ELO experience is a "good fit" for the student.
2. Student and local school official use the competency search database to determine which course(s) is/are most appropriate for the proposed ELO.
 Student, with the support of local school official(s), submits an online application for admittance into the VLACS ELO program.
3. VLACS officials review the application for thoroughness and content rigor and recommend revisions, if required.
4. VLACS and local school officials assist student with revisions to application.
VLACS officials approve revised application and informs student, parents/guardians, local school official(s) and VLACS instructor.
Students and parents/guardians register for the course competency(ies) approved as part(s) of the ELO.

The ELO Experience

1. A VLACS instructor is assigned and contacts the student.
2. Student with support from the VLACS instructor further develops essential questions, expectations, and learning experiences that will lead to a demonstration of competency and assessment rubrics to determine level of competency.
3. Students begin their ELO experience and/or work in online course modules.
4. Student does research, completes internship, makes connection, thinks critically, follows processes, etc.
5. Student collects artifacts and submits them in their (his/her) portfolio.
6. Student reflects on learning in his/her portfolio.
7. Teacher and mentors provide feedback and support to student through virtual meetings, phone calls, replies to reflections, and assessments using predefined rubrics.
8. Local school official provides support to students which includes access to school based technology, counseling, and academic support.
9. Student creates culminating product(s) that complete the demonstration of learning as defined by the competencies being assessed.
10. Student completes a round table presentation (face to face or virtual) of their learning to an invited panel of guests (Local mentor, VLACS instructor, local school official, parents, peers, etc.).

Post ELO Experience

1. VLACS provides students and local school official with transcripts of completed course(s).
2. The local school official transfers courses credits to students transcripts.

Types of activities that may be eligible for ELOs

• Service learning
• Internships
• Travel
• Work cooperative
• Independent study
• Job shadowing
• Partnerships with NH vocational schools
• Performing groups
• Apprenticeships
• And many more!

How to Apply to Participate in an Experiential Learning Opportunity

Click here to access our online Experiential Learning Opportunity application.

Application Requirements & Guidelines

1. Contact your school's ELO coordinator or guidance counselor and ask them to help you begin planning your ELO experience.
2. Create a draft detailed description of your proposed ELO experience.
3. Identify the course and course competencies that will be addressed by this experience. You can lookup courses competencies on our competency search page. Click here to access the search page.
4. The way in which a student proposes to meet course competencies must be documented in a digital format that will become part of an online student portfolio. For example, a students may wish to show how she/he has met art competencies by creating a video with narration that describes a work of art and documents its creation. It will be helpful to list ways in which you can show proof of how competencies might be met through you ELO experience before beginning your ELO application.
5. Identify mentors, experts, or other adults who are willing to serve as an advisor for this experience.