AMI Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) Mean?
AMI allows students to keep learning when they miss regular school days because of bad weather or district closures. Students can reinforce their skills, remediate them, and enrich them through electronic or conventional paper lessons. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education granted Columbia Public School District thirty-six (36) hours this school year. For those hours, students are expected to continue learning off-site (home, etc.) when district schools are closed due to inclement weather. Overall, AMI days can help eliminate learning gaps by providing activities and reducing the need for days to be added at the end of the school calendar.
How Will AMI Days Work?
- The district will inform families and students when there will be an AMI day.
- PreK-Grade 12 teachers will provide review and practice choice activities for students to complete. These activities will be provided in the CPS Student Portal and a paper copy will be sent home with students as needed.
- The AMI offered for inclement weather days differs from what was required during the pandemic. Inclement weather AMI will not include the delivery of new content to students and will focus on review and study of material already taught.
- If families or students have questions about learning activities, they can email their student’s teacher. Teachers will monitor emails during the first four hours of the building’s school day on AMI days. You can check your school hours to see when office hours will be.
Important Points to Remember for AMI Days
- Students will NOT attend school on an AMI day. All students will have instructional activities to be completed at home on AMI days.
- AMI days count as instructional days and do not have to be made up at the end of the school year if students and staff complete assigned work.
- Students who do not complete and submit AMI assignments will be marked absent for the related AMI day.
- Differentiated learning plans will be available for students who need them. If families have questions they can contact their student's classroom teacher, case manager, service provider or learning specialist.
- If you need assistance logging into the CPS Student Portal or CPS Families Portal, the Technology Services Department has several tutorials available.
What Else Do Families Need To Know?
- My student has lost the paper packet, where can I find the AMI assignments?
Electronic copies of AMI plans for all grade levels are available in the CPS Student Portal and through Schoology. The icon in the CPS Student Portal and in the CPS Families Portal with grade level AMI plans is a white snowflake on a blue background.
- Does my student need to begin AMI work at the same time their normal school day starts?
AMI work can be done as needed during the day. However, if your student needs assistance completing the work, make sure they contact their teacher during the designated office hours> - What if my student forgets to bring the AMI assignment with them on the next in-person learning day?
Students will need to be able to share that they completed the required choice board activities. - What if my student is unwell on an AMI day?
Absences need to be reported to the attendance office at your student’s school just like for traditional school days. Choice boards can be completed by the time the student returns to school, so if they are feeling better, they can complete the activities before returning to school and do not have to be reported absent. - How do I connect to the internet to complete my work?
You do not need to be connected to the internet to complete your AMI work. All classwork and tasks for AMI days are designed so students can participate even without access to computers or the Internet at home. Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, and High School teachers will distribute a paper outlining the AMI plans, and electronic copies of AMI plans for all grade levels are linked in the CPS Student Portal and available through Schoology. - Will my student be learning new material?
No, inclement weather AMI will not include the delivery of new content to students and will focus on review and study of material already taught. - What does an AMI day look like for students with special services?
All special services will be provided through alternative choice boards available from the student’s case manager. If you need additional assistance or guidance, please contact your student's case manager. Contact information is available in the Staff Directory. - What does an AMI day look like for my student who needs translation assistance?
Translated choice boards will be available in multiple languages through your student's English Learner Teacher. Students will receive a printed copy and materials will also be linked in the CPS Student Portal and available through Schoology. - How do students get help or support from the classroom teacher?
Classroom teachers will provide support during office hours. Office hours are the first four hours of the school day. Contact information for teachers is available in the Staff Directory. If you need to look up your teacher, you can find that information in CampusParent in the CPS Families Portal. Teachers will respond to emails, messages, and voicemails during office hours. If a student contacts their teacher after office hours, the teacher will respond as soon as possible.