Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 603 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION › Title 603 CMR 52.00 - Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools › Section 52.04 - Applications for and Granting of Certificates

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(1)
Commonwealth of Massachusetts virtual school Application
			 Process
. Applicants shall submit to the Department application
			 materials in accordance with the schedule, application form, and guidelines
			 established by the Department. Applications for Commonwealth of Massachusetts
			 virtual schools must be submitted by the deadline established by the Department
			 to be considered. The application must address the requirements in M.G.L. c. 71
			 § 94(b), as well as other criteria required by the application.
(2)
Review Process
.
			 The Department shall review application materials submitted in accordance with
			 established deadlines. The role of any reviewer is solely advisory. Application
			 materials will be reviewed and evaluated in accordance with criteria outlined
			 in 603 CMR 52.05 and in the
			 application itself. The Department will hold a public hearing, solicit public
			 comments, and conduct interviews with all applicants in order to better assess
			 their qualifications and capacity to start and operate a Commonwealth of
			 Massachusetts virtual school.
(3)
Evaluation and Approval of Applications
. The
			 Department reviews applications to ensure that the applicant has, at a minimum,
			 demonstrated the ability:
(a) to address all
			 of the requirements included in M.G.L. c. 71, § 94, including the
			 identification of educational programs identified in the statute;
(b) to conform with M.G.L. c. 71, § 94,
			 and all other applicable laws and regulations including, but not limited to,
			 those related to English learners and students with disabilities and any
			 guidelines issued by the Department;
(c) to meet its enrollment projections
			 through demonstration of support for the proposed Commonwealth of Massachusetts
			 virtual school;
(d) to develop a
			 management structure and plan which enables the virtual school to achieve its
			 goals and mission, including information about proposed board members and the
			 selection, roles, and responsibilities of the board of trustees;
(e) to develop bylaws that govern the board
			 of trustees consistent with M.G.L. c. 71, § 94,
			 603 CMR
			 52.00, and guidelines issued by the
			 Department;
(f) to assure that
			 students will meet the same performance standards and assessment requirements
			 set by the Board for students in other public schools;
(g) to involve parents and guardians as
			 partners in the education of their children;
(h) to establish a method for tracking
			 student learning time that is acceptable to the Department or, if a waiver of
			 those requirements is requested, a rigorous competency based model;
(i) to develop an accountability plan that
			 meets criteria established by the Department, setting specific performance
			 objectives to measure the virtual school's progress and success in raising
			 student achievement, establishing a viable organization, and fulfilling the
			 terms of its certificate;
(j) to
			 administer its educational programs, school operations, and finances
			 effectively;
(k) to develop a
			 professional development plan for all online teachers, such professional
			 development shall be consistent with the
Massachusetts Standards for
			 Professional Development
;
(l) to develop an online learning experience
			 for enrolled students to better prepare them to be a successful online
			 learner;
(m) to establish a process
			 to provide to students, parents and guardians, the Board, other interested
			 parties, and the public all information required by law and regulation, as well
			 as to provide other information the Board may request;
(n) to perform a daily visual check-in for
			 students; and
(o) to provide
			 synchronous learning opportunities with teachers in which students are required
			 to participate and to share their knowledge.
If a certificate is granted, the drafts of documents submitted
				during the application process are subject to Department review and approval
				during the opening procedures process and must meet the additional requirements
				in 603 CMR
				52.04.