Our mission is to provide you with answers to all your questions, regarding your online learning needs. We have compiled answers to questions that our students have come across in the past, to help you find answers at the tip of your fingers (literally!). However, we are always available, if you need to talk to someone in person, to get your questions answered.
Please visit https://redcomet.org/ale to start the registration process
You may enroll in this program during the school year (typically from late August to early June).
Yes – you need access to a computer and to the internet to take a Red Comet course. If you plan on working on the courses at home, you need to have access to a computer. If you plan to complete most of your schoolwork on the school premises, then you can avail yourself to the computers at your school. If this is not possible, you should seek out computers at your local library, recreation centers, community centers or religious centers.
We realize that online learning can raise fears about online predators. This is why we make our courses password-protected and secure. We encourage parental involvement and partner with both students and parents to keep and maintain a safe online learning experience. Strong parenting coupled with educating students of the risks of online predators remains vital and essential.
We take online bullying very seriously. The best way to protect against online bullying is to NOT share the student password with ANYONE other than parent or guardian and the mentor at school. If you suspect your account is being hacked, then immediately change the password. If this does not solve the problem, then please contact Red Comet immediately to report the problem.
In order for students to complete a Red Comet course, we expect them to spend at least 80 to 90 percent of their time on the computer. The rest of the time may be spent reading outside literature that is readily available at local libraries and schools. Our online learning platform helps us provide you with effective assessment, planning, and time-management tools. The online environment can also act as powerful teaching tools that can motivate, stimulate, and inform students about the world around them. This is why we use a unique multimedia approach that includes reading books as well as going through various educational websites and pertinent videos on the internet.
Some basic skills are required. Use of the computer is an important part of the program. The program is user-friendly.
Red Comet courses are not specifically designed for ESL (English as Second Language) learners. However, students can put in additional hours to catch up and make progress in the course in a timely manner. Red Comet works for students who need extra time to master a subject, as well as those who learn quickly. Red Comet platform offers tools that help students whose primary language is not English.
Red Comet teachers can make accommodations for students with special needs and will work with the students’ case manager at their resident school. Students / Parents / Schools must submit proof of IEP documentation in order to be eligible for any type of accommodations.
Gifted students can access higher grade courses or Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Red Comet offers the following subjects:
Red Comet offers a wide variety of courses all the way from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Please check our Catalog for a full listing.
Yes. You will be required to allow pop-ups on the Red Comet website.
Virtually all PCs will run Red Comet courses, but we have listed system requirements just in case.
Red Comet uses Agilix Buzz® which supports the following browsers:
Students may study course material on iPads, iPhones and other mobile devices. However, when it is time to take the final tests / submit final essays & assignments, we require that the students log in from a regular computer / laptop (Recommended browser – Chrome).
You can use chromebook to complete work on the Red Comet platform. At all times, students must follow the guidelines for assignment submissions on the platform.
You must have access to a high-speed, high-bandwidth connection to access courses and make submissions on the Red Comet platform. If you do not have access to this type of connection at home, please see if you can access the internet at your school, your local library, community/religious centers or even local businesses that offer a free Wi-Fi connection.
For the best online-learning experience, we recommend students to use noise-cancelling headsets. However, if a student does not have one, the student will still be able to complete the course.
Be involved with their learning! Encourage them to develop a schedule for working on their courses. Help them set aside a specific time each day when they can focus on Red Comet courses. If this time slot is the same every day, it helps set the routine for your student and you will see good progress. Make a list of assignments / essays / modules that must be completed by certain specific dates – this will give your student a timeline that he/she can follow. Discuss assignments with your students. Share in their learning. Celebrate their success. Each week, log into the Red Comet site as a parent and check your student’s progress in each enrolled course. Contact teachers if you have questions. Contact Red Comet staff if you have concerns.
Red Comet staff and teachers encourage and appreciate parent communication. The Red Comet issued login id is the best vehicle for communicating regarding your concerns / questions. Phone calls are also effective means of communication when you have a question.
Parents can monitor student progress by checking online and seeing what portion of the course the student has completed on the Grade page. Parents may also communicate with their student’s teacher(s) / Red Comet staff to check the student’s progress.
Students must work with academic counselors at their private school to decide on which courses they must enroll in. If a student is Homeschooled, the student/parent may approach their local school district (based on her home address) and talk to them about obtaining graduation counseling or help with course selections.
If students do not have access to a course at your private school, then students may enroll in this program. However, students must meet all eligibility requirements to qualify for the tuition-free option offered by the different school districts.
Red Comet offers a wide variety of courses in several subject areas. Please refer to the course catalog for a full listing.
Students / Parents / Schools must submit proof of IEP documentation prior to enrollment in order to be eligible for any type of accommodations.
Our program allows special needs students to work at their own pace and complete the course work. Red Comet teachers will make the necessary accommodation (those that are possible in an online environment) to assist students with special needs to successfully complete the coursework. Special needs students can fully utilize the various tools available within the courses on the Red Comet platform (for e.g., downloadable podcasts, read-aloud options, etc.).
No, the course material is not available offline; however, most courses allow you to print one page at a time.
Schools will receive final grade information or transcript once the student completes the course. Typically, these are sent to the Registrar or a School Administrator at the private school.
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No – this is not possible within the public school district sponsored tuition-free programs.
Students who have been expelled or are in long-term suspension may enroll in this program as long as they have access to computers and high-speed, high-bandwidth connection. Irrespective of their status, Red Comet will expect these students to complete all course requirements just like other students, unless they need special accommodation due to IEP/504.
Students who are in juvenile detention centers or in rehabilitative program may enroll in this program as long as they have access to computers and high-speed, high-bandwidth connection. Irrespective of their status, Red Comet will expect these students to complete all course requirements just like other students, unless they need special accommodation due to IEP/504 (including substance abuse related injuries).
No. Under no circumstance will Red Comet allow a student to re-take a test UNLESS there is undisputed proof that a technical error caused the test to shut down (resulting in lower scores.) All grades are final. Essays, assignments and other key course requirements will be excused only in the case of IEP Accommodations. Students without a formal IEP will NOT be excused from completing essays, assignments and other key course requirements.
Students must read and ‘accept’ the Written Student Learning Plan within each course prior to starting the course activity. The Written Student Learning Plan clearly outlines the syllabus and other course requirements. Students (and Parents/Guardians of younger students) must pay special attention to this important document.
Red Comet uses a variety of types of assessments to evaluate the students’ understanding of the course material. Red Comet expects all students to complete ALL gradable activities (unless they have accommodation). The type of gradable activities varies from course to course.
Students must refer to the grading policy within each course to figure out how they can maximize the scores. All assessments have rubrics associated with them. Students must follow the rubrics to get a favorable score on their submissions. On the platform, students can access the grade book at all times to keep track of their scores.
Schools must ensure students are enrolled in only those Red Comet courses that are not available to the students at their school. Red Comet will need a Registrar/School Administrator’s contact information if school wants to receive the Final Grade Report/Transcript for the student. This information will however be sent to the school only upon the student/parent/guardian’s approval. In case a student is not progressing in a satisfactory manner or is not logging in, Red Comet may reach out to school for assistance (in addition to reaching out to parent/guardian). This is purely with the intention to help the student be as successful as they can in the program.
No – there is no special software that is required. Our platform is online and accessible 24/7.
Yes – Red Comet teachers check all student submissions for plagiarism. Red Comet teachers will assign a zero score and issue a warning to the student. Upon repeated plagiarized submissions, Red Comet teaches may take further disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may include but is not limited to course suspension.
Yes – our online system is available 24/7.
Each course also has a navigation module, which provides details on course layout etc.
Teachers receive many emails each day so they strive to reply to students needing help and answering questions within 24 to 48 hours during the school week while grading student submissions within 5 business days.
Students turn in all submissions related to a course on the platform. Students receive clear guidelines for making submissions and they can use the tools provided on the platform to create and submit these submissions.
No - Students do NOT have to visit the Red Comet office for anything. They complete all their coursework on the platform.
No – students can do most of their work at home or at another location.
The student can login from the school computer. When school is closed, the student can log in from a public library or a community center. Alternately, the student can also work from a friend / mentor’s home. All work will be saved on the Red Comet platform. The student can continue his/her work from different locations.
Students are responsible for contacting the Red Comet for assistance. Computer problems do not excuse the student from required work so it is very important to seek solutions for technical problems immediately. If the problem cannot wait, the student can also call our toll-free number to seek assistance. Technical support will be available from 9:00 to 5:00 Mondays to Fridays (Pacific Standard Time).
Students can communicate with the Red Comet teacher from the Platform. Information for contacting Red Comet teachers is available at the beginning of every Red Comet course.
Students can get academic help from their teachers at school. However, if students have questions on the tests, essay prompts or submissions, then they must direct these questions to the Red Comet teacher.
No – this option is NOT available in this program. Only Red Comet teachers are allowed to grade the student submissions.
Students can contact the Red Comet teacher for their course on the platform. Teachers will respond to the students’ questions. If needed, they may schedule an online session with the students.
Students can submit their work as soon as they complete them. Red Comet does not place any restrictions on when students can submit their work. Students are advised to keep with the due dates specified with each course to ensure they can complete the course successfully by the end date.
It could affect student performance on the course. Historically, students who did not keep up with the due dates often ended up not completing the course or earning a lower score.
Students will have 150 days (about 5 months) to complete the course or the End Date (whichever is sooner).
Students can register anytime during the school year (from August until March) when the tuition-free program is in session. However, tuition-free courses have a start date in August with continuous registration through March and an end date in June. To successfully, complete the course, students must complete all course requirements by the End Date.
Red Comet offers an Accelerated ALE Program. Registrations and enrollments for the Accelerated ALE program are accepted April – the last week of May with a course End Date of no later than July 31st.
Students usually take at least 75 to 90 hours to complete a course. Most students complete a course in 4 to 5 months.
Students will receive a transcript/grade report once the course is 100% complete. If the student chooses to not complete the course, for high school courses, the remaining assignments will be zeroed out and transcript/grade report issued accordingly. For elementary and middle school courses, the final grade report will indicate the percentage of the course completed and the score for the portion of the course that was completed.
Students are expected to complete their courses by the end target date. Under special circumstances, Red Comet will grant extensions for a course.
Red Comet does not issue partial credits at this time. The private school can access the student’s grade report and issue a partial credit if they choose to.
For a typical semester-long or year-long enrollment, students are expected to put in at least 5 to 7 hours each week on a course. However, the time that a student needs to put in each week is dictated in the Written Student Learning Plan (WSLP) that is specific to the student and to the course enrolled in. Students must use the WSLP to guide their study schedule.
