The Mississippi State Board of Education has adopted a new policy as COVID-19 cases spread in schools across the state.�
To combat the spread of the virus in classrooms, the SBE has adopted a policy that allows school districts to use hybrid scheduling if needed. A news release explains that the scheduling model �can only be used to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.�
Hybrid scheduling typically involves alternating groups of students attending in-person classes with the remaining students participating virtually. State Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright explained that social distancing was a factor in the SBE�s decision.�
�The Mississippi Department of Education recommended the policy change because some superintendents expressed concern about the challenge of ensuring adequate social distance among students,� Wright said. �Hybrid scheduling gives districts another strategy to help educate students safely.�
Before the start of the 2021-22 school year, the SBE set requirements for districts that choose to offer a virtual learning option and established standards for schoolwide virtual learning days.
Under the SBE policies, districts that offer a virtual option for individual students must adopt local board-approved policies that include the criteria for students to participate in virtual learning, requirements for equipment, connectivity, attendance and student conduct, and assurances of equal access and non-discrimination and the delivery of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students with disabilities.
Districts are still required to provide a minimum of 180 days of instruction and must ensure any virtual learning days include actual teaching for a minimum of 330 minutes, as state law requires.
Currently, 29 schools have temporarily shifted to virtual learning due to COVID-19 outbreaks. 20,334 students are being quarantined in addition to 1,463 teachers. 5,933 students have tested positive for COVID-19 since the school year began along with 1,496 teachers.�
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