Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 7 - Education K-12 › Part 3 - Board Policies › Chapter 9 - Attendance Reporting › Rule 7-3-9.3 - Designated School-Wide/District-Wide Virtual Learning Days

Current through June 25, 2024
Beginning with the 2021 -2022 school year all districts shall
				  resume providing face-to-face in-person instruction. Process Standard 13 of the
				  current edition of the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards
				  mandates that both students and teachers are present for scheduled classroom
				  instruction during the minimum of 180 days. Additionally, Process Standard 13.3
				  provides that no more than two (2) of the 180 days may be 60% days. Both
				  teachers and pupils must be in attendance for not less than 60% of the normal
				  school day.
In the event of unplanned/unforeseen circumstances, districts
				  may opt to utilize designated school-wide or district-wide virtual learning
				  days throughout the year; however, the districts shall ensure that virtual
				  learning days include the minimum 330 minutes of actual teaching as required by
				  Miss. Code Ann. § 3713-67 and comply with State Board Policy Chapter 56
				  Rule 56.2: Virtual Students. Teachers shall provide instruction to students
				  during each virtual learning day. Therefore, lesson plans shall include daily
				  synchronous/interactive instruction and dialogue. Districts shall ensure that
				  students who access instruction virtually from off-campus have instruction
				  provided and access to the assigned teacher(s) including any special services
				  teachers/providers during the scheduled time for each course.
State Board Policy Chapter 9, Rule 9.3: School-Wide and
				  District-Wide Virtual Learning Days eliminated the hybrid (a combination of
				  virtual and traditional instructional modes) scheduling option for the 2021
				  -2022 school year.
However, due to the increased number of diagnosed COVID cases
				  in school-aged children at the beginning of the 2021 -2022 school year and in
				  consultation with Mississippi State Department of Health officials, a district
				  or school(s) within a district may utilize the hybrid scheduling option
				  effectively August 19, 2021, through October 31, 2021.
Based on another surge in COVID-19 cases, districts may
				  utilize the hybrid scheduling option from January 20, 2022, through March 11,
				  2022.
The use of the hybrid scheduling option is only available for
				  use in response to the COVID pandemic. During this time, a district/school
				  shall adhere to all requirements outlined in this policy and State Board Policy
				  Chapter 56 Rule 56.2: Virtual Students.
Districts shall not use virtual learning days for the purpose
				  of allowing students to remain off-campus to provide additional planning time,
				  professional development opportunities, testing, or to attend athletic events,
				  or immediately before or after a holiday (unless due to an unplanned/unforeseen
				  circumstance as stated above).
In the event of any audits conducted by the MDE, all process
				  standards (i.e., student-teacher ratios, instructional practices, planning
				  time, compulsory attendance, teacher evaluations, etc.,) for virtual learning
				  will be held to the same standards as in-person learning.
Districts shall ensure students, parents, and staff are
				  notified in advance of any virtual learning days so that students and staff are
				  familiar with equipment, online platforms (learning management systems) and
				  district-wide policies regarding student-issued devices. Districts shall
				  identify and have alternate plans in place only for individual students who do
				  not have access to internet services and shall ensure that the instruction is
				  equivalent to his/her peers.
Virtual Learning Days vs. Inclement Weather Days
Districts shall provide sufficient notice (before the close
				  of the prior school day) to staff and students for any weather-related or other
				  unforeseen virtual days. Refer to Miss. Code Ann. §
									37-13-64 regarding the authority
				  of local school superintendents/boards to determine if a district will make-up
				  missed days for weather-related school closures. When instances occur, such as
				  wide-spread power outages, that make virtual learning impractical, districts
				  shall either make up any missed days to ensure that teacher-led instruction
				  occurs or use the days as weather days as allowed under Miss. Code Ann. §
									37-13-64.
In accordance with State Board Policy Chapter 56, Rule
				  56.1: Distance Learning, Blended
				  Learning, and Online Courses, districts may allow individual students to
				  utilize distance learning for specific courses, or on an as-needed basis (i.e.,
				  illnesses) based on local school board policy.
See also State Board Policy Chapter 9 Rule 9.2, Reporting
				  Attendance for Virtual Learning
See also State Board Policy Chapter 56 Rule 56.2, Virtual
				  Students
Miss. Code
				  Ann. 37-1-3,
				  37-13-63,
				  37-13-64,
				  37-13-65,
				  37-13-67.