Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 603 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION › Title 603 CMR 52.00 - Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools › Section 52.02 - Definitions

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
As used in
				603 CMR
				52.00, unless the context clearly requires otherwise,
				terms shall have the following meanings:
Accountability Plan
. A Commonwealth of
				Massachusetts virtual school creates an Accountability plan by the end of its
				first year of operation in accordance with guidelines issued by the Department
				of Elementary and Secondary Education ("Department"). An Accountability Plan
				articulates the goals the virtual school has set to measure its success.
Administrator
. Any individual duly
				authorized by a Commonwealth of Massachusetts virtual school's board of
				trustees to manage the programs and operations of the Commonwealth of
				Massachusetts virtual school in accordance with its certificate and in
				compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.
Applicant
. A Commonwealth of
				Massachusetts virtual school applicant shall include but is not limited
				to:
(a) a public school district or
			 districts;
(b) an education
			 collaborative;
(c) an institution
			 of higher education;
(d) a
			 non-profit entity;
(e) two or more
			 certified teachers; or
(f) parents.
Applicant District
. A district, group
				of districts, or an education collaborative that submit a Commonwealth of
				Massachusetts virtual school application.
Application Cycle
. The period
				beginning with the availability of application information and extending
				through the receipt of Commonwealth of Massachusetts virtual school
				applications for review, ending when the Board of Elementary and Secondary
				Education makes final decisions on awarding certificates. The various stages of
				the application cycle occur in accordance with the schedule established by the
				Department.
Board
. The Board of Elementary and
				Secondary Education or a personal duly authorized by the Board of Elementary
				and Secondary Education.
Board of Trustees
. Public agents
				authorized by the state to supervise and oversee a Commonwealth of
				Massachusetts virtual school. Boards of trustees shall be considered public
				employers for purposes of tort liability under M.G.L. c. 258.
Certificate
. As defined in M.G.L. c.
				71, § 94(a).
Commissioner
. The Commissioner of
				Elementary and Secondary Education or the Commissioner's designee.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual School
				("CMVS")
. A Commonwealth virtual school as defined in M.G.L. c.
				71, § 94(a). A CMVS is a public school operated under a certificate issued
				by the Board and governed by a board of trustees whose teachers primarily teach
				from a remote location using the internet or other computer-based methods and
				whose students are not required to be located at the physical premises of the
				school. As specified in M.G.L. c. 71, § 94(c) and (d), there are two types
				of CMVS:
CMVS 1
. As specified in M.G.L. c. 71,
				§ 94(c) and (d), CMVS 1 may enroll students who live anywhere in
				Massachusetts or may limit enrollment to students who live in certain districts
				in Massachusetts.
CMVS 2
. As specified in M.G.L. c. 71,
				§ 94(c) and (d), a CMVS 2 is formed by a single school district, under an
				agreement entered into by more than one school district or by an education
				collaborative. A CMVS 2 may enroll only students who live in the school
				district that formed the CMVS, in the school districts that signed the
				agreement, or in the school districts that are members of the education
				collaborative that formed the CMVS.
Department
. As defined in M.G.L. c.
				71, § 94(a).
Education Collaborative
. As defined in
				M.G.L. c. 71, § 94(a).
Online Course
. A course overseen by a
				teacher who primarily teaches from a remote location using the internet or
				other computer-based methods and whose students are not required to be located
				at the same physical premises as the teacher. An online course may include
				synchronous and asynchronous instruction.
Sending District or District of
				Residence
. A Massachusetts city, town, or regional school district
				in which a Commonwealth of Massachusetts virtual school student resides and
				where the student has a right to attend a public school.
Sibling
. Persons who have a common
				parent, either biologically or legally through adoption.
Single District Virtual School
				("SDVS")
. A virtual school that is authorized by a school
				committee under M.G.L. c. 71, § 94(s), whose teachers primarily teach from
				a remote location using the internet or other computer-based methods and whose
				students are not required to be located at the physical premises of the school.
				A SDVS is operated within and by a single school district and only enrolls
				students who reside in that district.
Terms of Certificate
. Those material
				terms specified by the Board with the granting of a certificate. Modification
				of the terms by a Commonwealth of Massachusetts virtual school requires
				requesting an amendment pursuant to
				603 CMR
				52.00.