“Distance learning” means instruction in which the pupil and instructor are in different locations and pupils are under the general supervision of a certificated employee of the local educational agency. As per Senate Bill 98, Sections 43500-43504, Distance Learning shall include the following:

• Confirmation or provision of access for all pupils to connectivity and devices adequate to participate in the educational program and complete assigned work.

• Content aligned to grade-level standards that is provided at a level of quality and intellectual challenge substantially equivalent to in-person instruction.

• Academic and other supports designed to address the needs of pupils who are not performing at grade-level, or need support in other areas, such as English learners, pupils with exceptional needs, pupils in foster care or experiencing homelessness, and students requiring mental health supports.

• Special Education, related services, and any other services required by a pupil’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) with accommodations necessary to ensure that the IEP program can be executed in a distance learning environment.

• Designated and integrated instruction in English language development including assessment of English language proficiency, support to access curriculum, the ability to reclassify as fully English proficient, and, as applicable, support for Dual Language learning.

• Daily live interaction with certificated employees and peers for purposes of instruction, progress monitoring, and maintaining school connectedness. This interaction may take the form of internet or telephonic communication, or by other means permissible under public health orders.

Attendance Requirements

Senate Bill 98 put in place new requirements in relationship to attendance, participation, engagement, and time value of assignments. These requirements are intended to better describe how students are participating in learning this year and better understand the overall educational experience for students, especially those in distance or blended learning.

Being marked as present means that students have done one or more of the following:

• Participated in synchronous learning for any portion of the day

• Completed assignments or assessments

• Participated in online activities

• Made contact with teacher

Students who have not participated in one of the ways listed above on any given day will be marked as absent. Teachers will report attendance by 3:00 pm each day.

In compulsory education, only absences without a valid excuse are a violation. An excused absence from school may include reasons that are deemed by the school administrator, based on the student's circumstances, as constituting a valid excuse.