Distance Learning FAQs

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Acronyms

California Department of Education (CDE); California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS); county office of education (COE); Education Code (EC); local educational agency (LEA); school attendance review board (SARB); State Board of Education (SBE);

The FAQs on this web page are applicable to the 2020–21 school year only.

General

1. What is distance learning?

1. What is considered in-person instruction?

1. What is considered an LEA for these purposes? (updated 8/21/20)

1. When can LEAs offer distance learning?

1. Is an LEA required to offer distance learning?

1. What type of distance learning model can LEAs offer?

1. Does an LEA need to get approval from a public health official to transition to distance learning?

1. Does an LEA need to get approval from a public health official for its planned model of distance learning?

1. Is distance learning available to individual students who are at-risk or whose parents have a concern about their student participating in in-person learning?

1. Do schools need to confirm there is a valid reason that a student “would be put at risk by in-person instruction,” or is the student’s risk required to meet a specific standard?

1. What is considered “live interaction?”

1. What is the difference between daily live interaction and daily participation?

1. Is the requirement for daily live interaction met if the interaction is only between an individual student and a teacher?

1. Is there a requirement for how frequently regular communication with parents or guardians regarding a pupil’s academic progress must occur?

1. May a school district require a student to have their camera on during distance learning in order to allow the teacher to take attendance or mark a student as participating? (added 2/2/21)

1. May the SBE waive any of the requirements in Part 24.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Education Code?

2. Can students avail themselves of an independent study program rather than distance learning in the 2020–21 school year? (updated 8/17/20)

1. May the requirement for daily live interaction be met through synchronous learning (e.g., classroom instruction provided through interactive web meetings such as Zoom or Webex)? (added 7/31/20)

Attendance and Absences

1. What is required if students are not participating regularly in instruction?

1. Are LEAs required to collect information on absences during distance learning? (added 7/31/20)

1. How is the system of attendance support provided to students in Distance Learning different from the system of attendance support provided to students in classroom instruction? (added 8/17/20)

1. Are LEAs required to record whether an absence from Distance Learning is excused or unexcused? (added 8/17/20)

1. What are some example strategies that an LEA can include in its Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan for reengaging students and reducing our chronic absenteeism rates? (added 8/17/20)

1. Is the SARB an available option for students who are chronically absent during Distance Learning? (added 8/17/20)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

1. How can LEAs secure PPE when they are offering in-person instruction?

Nutrition

1. Will students who are participating in distance learning be provided meals?

English Learners

1. How are the needs of English learners being met through distance learning?

Nonclassroom-based Charter Schools

1. Are non-classroom-based charter schools programs considered distance learning?

Virtual Schools

1. Can a school district open a virtual school or an independent study school to serve all students through distance learning? (added 7/31/20)

Individualized Education Programs

1. Are there new requirements related to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and distance learning? (added 8/4/20)