Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(1) Upon a
declaration by the Governor that an emergency exists which is detrimental to
the public health, or upon a determination by the Board that exigent
circumstances exist that adversely affect the ability of students to attend
classes in a safe environment, unless additional health and safety measures are
put in place, the Commissioner, in consultation with medical experts and state
health officials, shall issue health and safety requirements and related
guidance for districts.
(2) Upon
such a declaration by the Governor or determination by the Board, the
Commissioner shall require each district to develop and submit a plan that
prioritizes providing in-person instruction to all students in a safe
environment. The plan shall include:
(a)
health and safety procedures that are consistent with the requirements issued
by the Commissioner; and
(b) a
description of the in-person learning model the district will use to provide
instruction to students. The in-person learning model shall mean all students
receive in-person instruction in school environments that have been
appropriately modified to address health and safety requirements issued by the
Commissioner.
(c) The Commissioner
may require districts to include the alternative education models set forth in
603 CMR 27.08(3) in their plans, to address circumstances in which students
cannot safely attend classes in an in-person setting.
(d) Where the Commissioner has required
districts to include alternative education models in their plans, the
Commissioner shall, from time to time, consult with medical experts and state
health officials, to determine whether students can safely attend classes in an
in-person setting with health and safety requirements. If the Commissioner
concludes that students may safely attend classes in an in-person setting with
health and safety requirements issued by the Commissioner pursuant to 603 CMR
27.08(2)(d), then he or she may, with prior written notice to the Board, notify
districts that they may no longer use one or more of the alternative education
models, in whole or in part, to meet the minimum school year and structured
learning time requirements set forth in
603 CMR
27.03 and
27.04.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, districts and schools may provide remote
learning pursuant to a remote learning model for the remainder of the 2020 -
2021 school year to those students whose parent or guardian selects remote
learning for their student.
(3) Alternative education models shall
include the following:
(a)
Hybrid
Learning Model. Hybrid learning model means students alternate
between in-person learning with safety requirements and remote learning. Hybrid
learning models shall include the following requirements: Effective January 19,
2021, districts and schools operating a hybrid learning model shall provide at
least 35 hours of live instruction over a ten-school day period, averaged
across the grades in the hybrid learning model.
(b)
Remote Learning
Model. Remote learning model means students are educated remotely.
Remote learning models shall include the following requirements:
1. procedures for all students to participate
in remote learning, including a system for tracking attendance and
participation;
2. remote academic
work shall be aligned to state standards;
3. a policy for issuing grades for students'
remote academic work;
4. teachers
and administrators shall regularly communicate with students and their parents
and guardians, including providing interpretation and translation services to
limited English proficient parents and guardians;
5. effective January 19, 2021, districts and
schools operating a remote learning model shall provide synchronous instruction
each school day; and
6. effective
January 19, 2021, districts and schools operating a remote learning model shall
provide at least 40 hours of synchronous instruction over a ten-school day
period, averaged across the grades in the remote learning model.
(c)
District Approved
Model. Means an education model submitted by a district and
approved by the Commissioner.
(4) Upon such a declaration by the Governor
or determination by the Board, the Commissioner shall direct each district
providing in-person summer school programs to implement health and safety
procedures that are consistent with requirements issued by the
Commissioner.
(5) The Commissioner
shall determine the form and manner for submission of district plans and may
publish templates, guidance, and other resources.
(6) Each district shall post its plan on its
website.
(7) The authorities
granted in 603 CMR 27.08 shall remain in effect until the Board determines that
students can attend classes in a safe environment without additional health and
safety measures.
