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Education Laws and Regulations

603 CMR 52.00

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools

Section:

  • 52.01: Purpose
  • 52.02: Definitions
  • 52.03: General Provisions
  • 52.04: Applications for and Granting of Certificates
  • 52.05: Student Recruitment, Enrollment, and Retention
  • 52.06: Board of Trustees and Staff
  • 52.07: Funding
  • 52.08: Reporting Requirements and Ongoing Review
  • 52.09: Complaint Procedure
  • 52.10: Amendments of Certificates
  • 52.11: Renewal of Certificates
  • 52.12: Conditions, Probation, Suspension, Revocation, and Non-Renewal
  • 52.13: Single District Virtual School
  • 52.14: Severability Clause
  • View All Sections

Adopted by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education: May 23, 2023

52.11: Renewal of Certificates

(1) Renewal Application. The virtual school shall submit its application for renewal of a certificate under 603 CMR 52.00 no later than 12 months before the certificate is set to expire. The Board will review renewal applications pursuant to the criteria set forth in 603 CMR 52.04 and M.G.L. c. 71, § 94.

(2) Renewal Guidelines. The Department shall issue guidelines describing the evaluation process to be followed in reviewing applications for renewal, including protocols for renewal inspections and performance criteria. The decision by the Board to renew a certificate shall be based upon the presentation of affirmative evidence regarding the faithfulness of the virtual school to the terms of its certificate, the virtual school's academic program, and the viability of the virtual school as an organization. The Department will gather evidence regarding these issues from the renewal application and from other information, including but not limited to, a virtual school's annual reports, financial audits, test results, accountability review reports, and the renewal inspection report. All Commonwealth of Massachusetts virtual schools will be evaluated on the same performance criteria as provided in the guidelines, provided, however, that the criteria will take into account each virtual school's certificate and accountability plan. Evidence of academic success for all students is essential for renewal.

(3) Time Period of Certificate. Certificates that are renewed shall be for three to five years from the expiration of the previous certificate under such conditions as the Board may establish under 603 CMR 52.04 and any additional conditions that the Board or the Commissioner may specify. If a virtual school fails to comply with any specified conditions, the Commissioner may recommend to the Board that the virtual school be placed on probation or that the certificate be revoked as described in 603 CMR 52.12. Certificates of schools that do not file renewal applications by the deadline identified in CMR 52.11(1) shall expire on the date indicated in the certificate.

Disclaimer:
 For an official copy of these regulations, please contact the State House Bookstore, at 617-727-2834 or visit Massachusetts State Bookstore.

Last Updated: June 30, 2023

 
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