Section:
Adopted by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education: May 23, 2023
(1) General. A Single District Virtual School (SDVS) is distinct from a CMVS that operates under the provisions of G.L. c. 71, § 94.
(2) Proposal Process. Under G.L. c. 71, § 94(s), the school committee of a single district that wishes to operate a SDVS must submit a summary description of the proposed virtual school (proposal) to the Commissioner for review and comment at least four (4) months before the proposed opening of the SDVS.
(3) Review Process. The Department will review proposals and provide feedback using the criteria outlined in 603 CMR 52.13 and in related guidance documents.
(4) Feedback Criteria. The proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the schedule and guidelines issued by the Department to describe the district's capacity to develop and to operate a SDVS. At a minimum, the proposal should include, but not be limited to, a description of the mission and vision, the educational program, and the organizational structure and capacity.
(5) School Committee Approval. Once the Department reviews and provides feedback on the proposal, the school committee must vote whether to approve the final SDVS proposal and allow the district to operate the SDVS. The school district shall submit evidence to the Department of school committee vote and submit a copy of the final proposal by a date determined by the Department.
(6) Enrollment. As specified in M.G.L. c. 71, § 94(s), except for unemancipated students who live outside of Massachusetts and whose parent or guardian is a member of the armed forces, only students who reside in the district may seek admission to and attend a SDVS. Students attending school in the district as nonresidents may not seek admission to a SDVS.
Unemancipated students who live outside of Massachusetts and whose parent or guardian is a member of the armed forces may seek admission to a SDVS if they provide evidence of military orders that the parent or guardian will be stationed in Massachusetts during the current or following school year. Additionally, such students shall use an address consistent with G.L. c. 71, § 6B(b). Alternatively, if a student was last enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in Massachusetts and their parent or guardian was deployed or received a military transfer to a location outside of Massachusetts, such student must provide evidence of military orders and of the grade and dates that they attended in Massachusetts.
(7) School Codes and Reporting. For the purposes of enrollment, accountability, and other school level determinations, the Department will assign a school code to a SDVS to facilitate monitoring of outcomes.
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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