Background Information

Flex Learning Day is Byron's terminology for instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic and for inclement weather days. We chose to keep the terminology similar to avoid confusion.

Flex Learning Day plans for COVID-19 contains both distance and e-learning requirements.

Distance Learning means students engaging in distance learning have access to appropriate educational materials and receive daily interaction with their licensed teacher(s). It is important to note that distance learning does not always mean e-learning or online learning. It is critical to provide this learning in a format that can be equitably accessed by all students.

Byron must maintain educational continuity for schools and programs, equity and must ensure equal access to ALL students.

As we implement a distance learning model, the Federal and State requirements must be followed. This means that students need to be able to participate in their learning equitably and have access to all relevant services and supports. Considerations include, but are not limited to:

• Ensuring all students in the school or district will have equal access to the learning and required materials, including technology.
• If using an online learning system, ensure it can effectively support the district’s unique learning and teaching needs, including the ability to provide differentiated instruction as well as one-on-one support for students who need it. Regardless of where the learning is happening, supports identified on a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan must be provided (more detail below). Individual Learning Plans for English Language Learners must also be followed.
• Providing training to staff, students, and parents/guardians on implementation of your distance learning model and the district’s expectations.
• Programming options for school nurses, school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, paraprofessionals, other school specialists and cultural liaisons.
• Tracking the attendance of both students and staff. Ensuring the distance learning model in use is secure and will not allow for the release of protected student or staff information. Schools should provide materials for students to continue their learning.

Each school would determine the most appropriate way to communicate and provide instruction for each student which could include some/all of the following:

• Paper packets or worksheets, which could be distributed daily by bus route or collected several times a week at a central location
• Textbooks
• Telephone instruction
• Online resources (take into account availability of broadband)
• Instruction via the school’s learning management system (LMS - like Moodle or Google Classoom)

E-learning day means a school day where a school offers full access to online instruction provided by students' individual teachers due to inclement weather. A school district or charter school that chooses to have e-learning days may have up to five e-learning days in one school year. An e-learning day is counted as a day of instruction and included in the hours of instruction under section 120A.41.

The 2017 Legislature has amended the Length of the School Year; Hours of Instruction (Minn. Stat. § 120A.41) to include the option of a school utilizing e-Learning days:

Due to inclement weather.

Up to five days in one school year.

Counted as an instructional day and included as hours of instruction.