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Emergency Remote Instruction

Emergency Remote Instruction Plan

The Gates Chili Central School District developed the following Emergency Remote Instruction Plan to address the instruction of students if extraordinary circumstances prevent students and staff from physically attending school. The Emergency Remote Instruction Plan meets the requirements of New York State Education Commissioner’s Regulations for inclusion in the 2023-24 Districtwide School Safety Plan. 

The Gates Chili Central School District developed the following Emergency Remote Instruction Plan to address the instruction of students if extraordinary circumstances prevent students and staff from physically attending school. The Emergency Remote Instruction Plan meets the requirements of New York State Education Commissioner’s Regulations for inclusion in the 2023-24 Districtwide School Safety Plan. 

Background information

The NYS Education Department (NYSED) authorized a “snow day pilot” program during the Covid-19 pandemic 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years. This program allowed school districts to deliver instruction remotely on days in which they would otherwise have closed due to an emergency. 

To give districts greater predictability, in September 2022, the NYSED Board of Regents amended section 175.5(e) of the Commissioner’s regulations to codify this flexibility.  Districts that would otherwise close due to an emergency may, but are not required to, remain in session and provide instruction through remote learning and count these instructional days towards the annual hours requirement for State Aid purposes.  Instruction must be provided to all students and be consistent with the definition of remote instruction, as explained below. In addition, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, such instruction must be consistent with the school district’s Emergency Remote Instruction Plan. 

NYSED also amended section 155.17 of the Commissioner’s regulations to require public schools, BOCES, and county vocational education and extension boards amend their  

District-Wide School Safety Plans to include plans for remote instruction beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. This gives the public an opportunity to provide feedback on such plans for remote instruction prior to their adoption. The Emergency Remote Instruction Plan must include the methods that the school district will ensure the availability of: devices; internet access; provision of special education and related services for students with disabilities; the expectations for time spent in different remote modalities. 

Such plans also require that each chief executive officer of each educational agency located within a public school district report information on student access to computing devices and access to the internet each year. 

NYSED additions to section 100.1 of the Commissioner’s regulations define the term “remote instruction.” This definition identifies various ways in which remote instruction may be delivered, but which must include, in all situations, regular and substantive teacher-student interaction with an appropriately certified teacher. 

The NYS Board Regents adopted the amendments noted above that became effective as a permanent rule on September 28, 2022.  Sections 200.7, 200.16, and 200.20 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education were amended, and became effective September 13, 2022, and December 12, 2022, as an emergency action for the preservation of the general welfare to permit approved special education providers to provide remote instruction in the 2022-2023 school year on days they would otherwise close due to an emergency and to count such instructional days towards 14 minimum requirements and to identify the ways in which such remote instruction may be delivered. These amendments relate to remote instruction and its delivery under emergency conditions for students in approved private schools for the education of students with disabilities, state-supported schools, state-operated schools, and approved preschool special education programs. These updated regulations now provide the same flexibility for remote instruction under emergency conditions that was given to school districts.  The effective date of the final rule was January 25, 2023.

REMOTE INSTRUCTION 

The Commissioner's regulations define remote instruction as “instruction provided by an appropriately certified teacher, or in the case of a charter school an otherwise qualified teacher pursuant to Education Law §2854(3)(a-1), who is not in the same in-person physical location as the student(s) receiving the instruction, where there is regular and substantive daily interaction between the student and teacher.”  For the purpose of this plan, remote instruction means the instruction occurring when the student and the instructor are in different locations due to the closure of one or more of the district's school buildings due to emergency conditions as determined by the Superintendent of Schools. Emergency conditions include, but are not limited to, extraordinary adverse weather conditions, impairment of heating facilities, insufficient water supply, prolonged disruption of electrical power, shortage of fuel, destruction of a school building, shortage of transportation vehicles, or a communicable disease outbreak, and the school district would otherwise close due to such an emergency.  

 

UNSCHEDULED SCHOOL DELAYS AND EARLY RELEASES 

Instructional hours that a school district scheduled but did not execute, either because of a delay to the start of a school day or an early release, due to emergency conditions, may still be considered as instructional hours for State Aid purposes for up to two instructional hours per session day, provided the School Superintendent certifies such to NYSED, on the prescribed NYSED form, that an extraordinary condition existed on a previously scheduled session day and that school was in session on that day (NYSED Part 175.5). 

The Emergency Remote Instruction Plan shall identify various ways in which instruction may be delivered, including synchronous and asynchronous instruction. In all situations, remote instruction requires regular and substantive teacher-student interaction with an appropriately certified teacher.  

Synchronous instruction engages students in learning in the direct presence (remote or in-person) of a teacher in real time. During remote instruction, students and teachers attend together from different locations using technology. Asynchronous instruction is self-directed learning that students engage in learning without the direct presence (remote or in-person) of a teacher. Students access class materials during different hours and from different locations. During an emergency closing, synchronous instruction is the preferred method of instruction, whereas asynchronous instruction is considered supplementary instruction.   

ENSURING ACCESSIBILITY AND AVAILABILITY (INTERNET, PROCESSERS / DEVICES) 

The Gates Chili Central School District shall survey families to find out who has a reliable high-speed internet connection. A survey conducted in 2020 identified families who live in the district that do not have access, therefore remote learning is a challenge, if not impossible, for these students. Since 2020, every student who enrolls in the district provides information on internet access and computer accessibility. When students do not have internet access, the district works with the families to develop a plan to provide instructional materials for them as well as a process for recording attendance and grading.  The district works with the community to provide locations where internet access could be used if they are able to use these locations.  

Commissioner’s regulation 115.17(f) outlines the annual data collection that districts must submit to SED every year by June 30.  It requires the school district to survey families regarding internet and device access at the student’s place(s) of residence. The chief executive officer (School Superintendent) shall survey students and parents and persons in parental relation to such students to obtain information on student access to computing devices and access to internet connectivity.  

District policy and procedures are followed to ensure computing devices are made available to students or other means by which students will participate in synchronous instruction. 

  • The plan adheres to guidance set forth in the following Board of Education policies: 3510 Emergency School Closings; 7110 Student Attendance; 9120 Acceptable User Policy; 7312 Student Dress Code; GCCSD Code of Conduct and Support. 

  • The school district provides all students in grades K-12 access to a personal computing device.  In the event of an emergency, closing provisions will be made to the greatest extent possible to ensure that all students have their device at home for instruction. 

    The school district participates fully in the SED Digital Access Survey along with locally developed surveys to assess how many students have internet access at home.  The district provides hotspots to any families that indicate a need for reliable internet to facilitate access to learning at home. 

    All faculty should have an alternative general activity for students in the instance that widespread power outages or other disruptions to connectivity occur preventing synchronous connection. If students lose connectivity, then the expectation is they will complete the alternate assignment provided.  

  • All teachers in grades K-12 will use Microsoft Teams as their primary instructional platform.   

    Several district-provided instructional technology software programs are available to support instruction along with a wide array of other resources curated by faculty.  Teachers will utilize these programs to differentiate instruction, accessing a variety of delivery methods that best suit their course, grade level, and teaching style.  The instructional approach may include a combination of: 

    Synchronous “Live” Instruction - Using Microsoft Teams along with other digital platforms, teachers will deliver real time instruction to a full group or subset of students. Teachers may incorporate asynchronous or project-based opportunities within this model. 

    Teachers will make personal connections with all students during scheduled class times via Microsoft Teams.  These connections will allow teachers to take attendance, introduce new content or skills and will allow students to connect with their teachers and peers in order to be guided through lessons, ask questions, and maintain personal relationships. The duration of these synchronous connections depends on the grade level and daily instructional plan but should be the primary mode of instruction and substantial enough to guide learning. 

    Asynchronous “Flipped” Instruction - Using a variety of digital platforms, teachers will deliver captured or recorded lessons with associated expectations for students participation and assignment completion in Schoology.  These activities may include teacher/student synchronous interactions for a portion of the lesson. 

    Authentic Independent Instruction - Using a variety of methods, teachers will engage students in high quality learning activities.  These activities must engage students in the learning process.  Teachers will provide assistance to students in this mode of instruction through asynchronous and synchronous methods outlined above.

  • All students will receive information on how to access course material and instruction from their teachers.  Students are expected to follow all directions and requests to participate in instruction to the fullest extent possible.  During synchronous instruction students are expected to be school ready.  This includes being  on  time  for  class,  engaging  fully  through  video  and  audio as  directed  by  their    teacher,   and    presenting    themselves    in   a manner that is in accordance with school expectations.  

    All students are expected to practice appropriate digital etiquette and responsible behavior during assigned Microsoft Teams meetings: 

    • Mute yourself as directed by your teacher 

    • Cameras are to be kept on during classroom meets unless directed specifically by your teacher to do otherwise.  

    Students are expected to work in an appropriate setting when participating remotely / online. Workplaces include a desk, table, kitchen counter, etc... Other locations may not be conducive to learning. 

    Student dress must be appropriate on all platforms - the Student Dress Code section of the Student Handbook / Code of Conduct applies to students on all platforms. 

    If there are any circumstances preventing full and appropriate participation the student should let the teacher know.  As this is a required attendance day, students must fulfill expectations for satisfactory participation as determined by their teacher.

  • The virtual day will follow the same schedule framework as the HS, MS and Elementary School to which the student is assigned.   As with all school schedules, appropriate breaks will be included in the daily schedule for students and faculty, including time for lunch.  Students will attend all assigned classes at their scheduled time.  The method of instructional delivery will vary to facilitate appropriate screen time per age level within these parameters.

  • Teachers will follow the same communication protocols that are established in school for addressing areas of academic or behavioral need.  This includes a combination of email and/or phone calls with families/guardians, or academic/behavioral referrals to the administration.  All effective strategies should be utilized to maintain effective communication. 

  • School districts are required to implement supports, services and accommodations, as indicated in students’ IEPs or 504 Accommodation Plans, to the best of their ability.  NYSED recognizes that there may be limitations to implementing certain services or accommodations through remote instruction and as a result, encourages districts to apply a “lens of reasonableness” to their approach.

  • This section applies to Transportation, School Nutrition, Maintenance, Custodial, Clerical/Administrative Support

    When a school district is in remote session, non-instructional services may still be required to report to work to perform critical services related to their area of expertise. In the event that the change to remote instruction is due to a snow or other weather emergency, such change will likely impact transportation and other critical services.  Decisions whether or not non-instructional employees should report to work will be made and communicated in real time by the appropriate supervisor or administrator based on whether services can be provided in a safe and efficient manner. 

NYSED Plan Requirements

  1. Policies and procedures to ensure computing devices will be made available to students or other means by which students will participate in synchronous instruction;
  2. Policies and procedures to ensure students receiving remote instruction under emergency conditions will access internet connectivity;
  3. Expectations for school staff as to the proportion of time spent in synchronous and asynchronous instruction of students on days of remote instruction under emergency conditions with an expectation that asynchronous instruction is supplementary to synchronous instruction;
  4. A description of how instruction will occur for those students for whom remote instruction by digital technology is not available or appropriate;
  5. A description of how special education and related services will be provided to students with disabilities and preschool students with disabilities, as applicable, in accordance with their individualized education programs to ensure the continued provision of a free appropriate public education; and
  6. For school districts that receive foundation aid, the estimated number of instructional hours the school district intends to claim for State Aid purposes for each day spent in remote instruction due to emergency conditions pursuant to section 175.5 of this Chapter. 

Instructional Hours for State Aid and Reporting Requirements

Pursuant to Section 175.5 of Education Law the school district may decide to transition to remote instruction in the event emergency conditions dictate the closure of the PreK through Grade 12 facilities. Under the provisions of New York State Education Law and the district Emergency Remote Instruction Plan any instruction sessions provided during the closure of the school facilities are counted towards annual hour requirements for meeting 180 days required for State financial aid. 

Annual Hourly Requirements for the purpose of apportionment of State Aid (for districts receiving foundation aid) are noted below: 

The district estimates the number of instructional hours it intends to claim for State Aid purposes for each day spent in remote instruction due to emergency conditions from a minimum of 1 remote instruction day due to emergency conditions, up to the full year’s annual hourly requirement.  

  • 450 instructional hours for pupils in half-day kindergarten
  • 900 instructional hours for pupils in full-day kindergarten and grades one through six
  • 990 instructional hours for pupils in grades seven through twelve 

The district estimates the number of instructional hours it intends to claim for State Aid purposes for each day spent in remote instruction due to emergency conditions from a minimum of 1 remote instruction day due to emergency conditions, up to the full year’s annual hourly requirement.  

  • Whenever a school building must close to instruction due to the activation of its District-Wide School Safety Plan or Building-Level Emergency Response Plan, a Report of School Closure must be submitted to the Commissioner of Education by the School Superintendent as required under CR 155.17(f) via the NYSED Report of School Closure portal. Even when remote instruction is provided during an emergency closure, a Report of School Closure must be submitted. This also applies when instruction can be delivered in an interim location or via another instructional modality.  

    When it is determined that it is safe to re-open a school building after an emergency closure, the School Superintendent must notify the Commissioner by completing a corresponding Report of School Re-Opening, via the NYSED Report of School Re-Opening portal. 

    The Report of School Closure is intended to provide immediate notification to the Commissioner regarding an emergency closure. The Report of School Re-Opening notifies the Commissioner of the re-opening and also collects the actual duration of the closure, the location and modality of instruction, and detailed information that may not have been available at the time of the closure.   

    Reasons for building closures may include, but are not limited to, natural disasters, power outages, instances of infectious disease, extraordinary adverse weather conditions and threats of violence. It is no longer required to submit a Report of School Closure for routine snow days. 

  • The School Superintendent shall notify the NYSED Commissioner the results of the survey on student access to computing devices and access to internet connectivity through the Student Information Repository System (SIRS) every year by June 30. 

  • The school district shall report the Emergency Remote Instruction Plan through the State Aid Management System at the end of the school year. After the close of the school year starting with the ending of 2023-2024, the School Superintendent reports remote instructional days under emergency conditions through the State Aid Management System and certifies this at the time NYSED’s Form A is submitted as part of other required certifications. Using the NYSED prescribed form, the School Superintendent certifies to NYSED:

    • That an emergency condition existed on a previously scheduled session day and that the school district was in session and provided remote instruction on that day;
    • How many instructional hours were provided on such session day; and
    • Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, that remote instruction was provided in accordance with the district’s Emergency Remote Instruction Plan. 

  • As part of the District-Wide School Safety Plan, the school district’s Board of Education shall make the Emergency Remote Instruction Plan available for public comment and public hearing for no less than thirty days (30) prior to adoption. The plan must be adopted as part of the District-Wide School Safety Plan annually prior to September 1st and posted on the district website in a conspicuous location.   

  • School districts are required to implement supports, services and accommodations, as indicated in students’ IEPs or 504 Accommodation Plans, to the best of their ability, when providing virtual instruction.   

    Special education teachers who provide direct/indirect consultant services will initiate outreach to their students’ general education teacher(s) to collaborate on instructional modalities and any necessary accommodations or modifications required of assignments or assessments for the day.  

    Special education teachers who teach resource room, self-contained special classes either content specific or specialized programs, should follow the same guidance and expectations as classroom teachers in regards to pedagogy, content, class meetings, and flexibility. 

    Teaching assistants are available for instructional support by way of participating in class meetings, keeping up on classroom assignments and expectations, and serving as additional academic support.  

    Related service providers are to provide “tele-therapy” services, to the best of their ability. Related service providers are expected to adhere to similar guidelines as other professionals in regard to student and teacher work at home, communication, and flexibility and they will use the students’ IEPs to determine an appropriate/reasonable level of communication and support. 

    Documentation Requirements: Special education personnel are expected to document all supports and services provided to students during this time. Document the manner, means, duration of time, follow up efforts, etc. IEP progress monitoring is required to be collected and reported to parents following the schedule listed on students’ IEPs. Medicaid session notes continue to be a requirement for eligible related service providers. Special education teachers/service providers are responsible to hold any virtual professional meetings already scheduled on a day that becomes a virtual instruction day.