BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Amendments to remote and hybrid learning from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education take effect on Tuesday across the Commonwealth.
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted the changes during a meeting on Dec. 15, 2020, which include new regulations for student learning time, and the element of live instruction.
According to Massachusetts Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley, starting on Jan. 19, 2021 districts who are learning remotely or through a hybrid plan must incorporate the following:
- Hybrid learning must provide students with access to at least 35 hours of "live instruction" over a 10-day period, averaged across the grades included (excluding pre-kindergarten and kindergarten)
- Students must have the chance to interact with an educator on every school day, including a mandatory "live" check-in from educators
- Districts operating remotely must provide students with access to synchronous instruction each school day, or "learning that is directed by a teacher and happens in real time with other students"
- Remote districts must also provide students with at least 40 hours of synchronous instruction over a 10-school day period, averaged across the grades included (excluding pre-kindergarten and kindergarten)
- This instruction could include live, whole-class lessons, small group work, live "breakout" room activities and other similar scenarios. It does not include office hours or "check in" time between teachers and students, "where other students are not required to be present."
The Department said any district that does not follow the regulations or did not receive a waiver by Tuesday will be required to make up the learning time that was missed at the end of the school year.
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Written by Rachel Armany