Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I adjust my student's plan at any time?

A: Families can update their independent study subjects at any time during the year. Subjects and courses that satisfy the education plan requirements will lock at the start of the school year to support accurate participation tracking and reporting.

Q: Do you provide support to build my studentâs education plan?

A: Our team is here to walk families through this process. We frame the plan as a shared agreementâdesigned to help students thrive while giving families voice and choice. If you'd like some support, please reach out to us at help@opened.co.

Q: Whatâs the difference between required subjects and independent studies?

A: Required subjects are the minimum students must consistently report participation each week. Independent studies are just for enrichment. They do not impact reporting or grades, but allow families to fully reflect their learning experience.

Q: What do you mean by "grade"?

A: OpenEd students will receive a participation-based grade. If a student engages consistently in their listed subjects, they âpass.â Thereâs no letter grade or GPA, just evidence of consistent learning.

Q: What if a family wants to report on an independent study anyway?

A: Theyâre welcome to! It wonât affect their grade, but the teacher will still see and appreciate the extra context.

Q: Can students use curriculum from a different grade level than their enrollment reflects?

A: Absolutely! The education plan is designed to support personalized learning. Students have the freedom to work above, on, or below grade level as needed, depending on their pace and goals throughout the year.

Q: Will my student need to report on all subjects listed on the education plan?

A: That's up to your student! On their learning log, your student can write a short reflection about any area of study or core competency that they focused on over the past week of learning.

State-Specific Information

Utah

Uses terminology 'required subjects and independent studies' instead of 'required and optional subjects'
Includes specific information about diploma-seeking students receiving letter grades from their school of enrollment
Contains unique questions about split enrollment
Learning log description appears to be cut off mid-sentence

Keep in mind: That being said, Diploma-seeking students will receive a letter grade from their school of enrollment. This grade will appear on the student's official transcript from their school of enrollment (but won't appear on the student's unofficial transcript through OpenEd).

Q: What does âsplit enrollmentâ mean and how does it affect the education plan?

A: Split enrollment means the student is also taking classes through a local public school or program. These classes must be added to your student's education plan.

In approved cases, families can update required subjects/courses mid-year to reflect any changes.

Montana

Uses terminology 'required subjects and independent studies' instead of 'required and optional subjects'
Does not include information about diploma-seeking students or split enrollment

Iowa

Uses terminology 'required and optional subjects'
Includes heading '2.4 Frequently Asked Questions (Iowa 25-26)' in the body content

Frequently Asked Questions (Iowa 25-26)

Wyoming

Formats the first answer with emphasized 'independent study' and a line break

A: Families can update their independent study subjects at any time during the year.

Subjects and courses that satisfy the education plan requirements will lock at the start of the school year to support accurate participation tracking and reporting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my student's education plan during the school year?

Yes, families can update independent study subjects at any time during the year. However, subjects and courses that satisfy the education plan requirements will lock at the start of the school year to support accurate participation tracking and reporting.

What's the difference between required subjects and independent studies in OpenEd?

Required subjects are the minimum students must consistently report participation each week. Independent studies are for enrichment only - they don't impact reporting or grades but allow families to fully reflect their learning experience.

How are OpenEd students graded?

OpenEd students receive participation-based grades. If a student engages consistently in their listed subjects, they 'pass.' There's no letter grade or GPA, just evidence of consistent learning.

Can my student work at a different grade level than their enrollment grade?

Absolutely! The education plan supports personalized learning. Students have the freedom to work above, on, or below grade level as needed, depending on their pace and goals throughout the year.

Does my student need to report on every subject in their education plan?

That's up to your student! On their learning log, your student can write a short reflection about any area of study or core competency that they focused on over the past week of learning.