Digital Learning Advisory Council

The 2013 virtual schools legislation (Chapter 379 of the Acts of 2012, An Act Establishing Commonwealth Virtual Schools) created a Digital Learning Advisory Council to advise the Board and the Commissioner on:

• The development of policies guiding virtual schools, supplemental online courses, education technology, and other matters related to virtual education.
• The identification of best practices to encourage online education to complement classroom instruction in district schools.
• The assessment of the appropriateness of the fee that the Department may retain for the administration of the virtual school program.

The council members are appointed by the Commissioner, on behalf of the Board. The council shall consist of 15 members. The law specifies that the advisory council include one representative from the following organizations:

• American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts (MFT)
• Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA)
• Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS)
• Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC)
• Virtual High School (VHS) Collaborative*

As well as the following representatives:

• Massachusetts secondary school administrator
• Representative of non-profit organization that conducts research and training related to online education
• Representative of institution of higher education that provides online education for K to 12
• Parent of student(s) currently attending a virtual school in Massachusetts

Additional at-large members may be appointed by the Commissioner.

In accordance with the law:

• The members serving on the council may be school committee members, school superintendents, professional educators, parents, students, or individuals with expertise in virtual education. A reasonable balance of members representing business, labor, civic, educational, parental, and professional groups is to be maintained. Members serving on the council are to represent a reasonable statewide geographic balance. The commissioner, with the approval of the board, shall appoint the chair of the council. The commissioner or a designee shall serve as the secretary to the council. The members will be appointed for a term of three years and can serve up to two consecutive terms.

Annual Report

• 2018-2019 Annual Report

• 2019-2020 Annual Report

• 2020-2021 Annual Report

DLAC Membership as of March 2024

2023-24 Meeting Schedule

Department Liaisons

• Alison Bagg
  Director of Charter Schools and School Redesign
  781-338-3218
• Ruth Hersh
  Manager of Education Collaboratives and Virtual Schools
  781-338-3211
• VirtualSchools@mass.gov

---

* In January of 2020, the Virtual High School has changed its name to VHS Learning.

Last Updated: March 21, 2024