BY: EDUCATION DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — If you enjoyed learning from home during COVID, the Palm Beach County School Districts wants you to know that you can continue to stay in your pajamas. The School Board is preparing to adopt an updated Virtual Learning policy that affirms remote learning is an option — for any reason and for any student.
BocaNewsNow.com obtained the text of the policy expected to be adopted during the Palm Beach County School Board’s February 7th meeting.
Virtual Learning Policy For Palm Beach County
The School Board of Palm Beach County (School Board) shall provide students with multiple options for enrollment in part-time and full-time virtual instruction programs. These programs shall be provided through Florida Department of Education approved Virtual Instruction Program (VIP) providers, through the District franchise of Florida Virtual School, or other virtual programs operated by the District.
STUDENT OPTIONS AND ENROLLMENT
Students may participate in State and District approved virtual instruction programs subject to program related eligibility requirements including if applicable, those specified in Fla. Stat. §1002.455(2).
The School Board shall provide parents timely written notification of at least one open enrollment period and options for enrollment in full-time virtual instruction programs. Open enrollment will be available for a minimum of 90 days ending 30 days prior to the first school day of the school year. Additional dates for open enrollment in full-time virtual instructional programs may be designated by the District. Information about Open Enrollment dates and other criteria for eligibility for virtual instruction programs will be posted on the District’s Palm Beach Virtual School website.
Student enrollment in online courses or programs may be subject to approval by the school principal or the principal’s designee. During the approval process, each principal or designee may consider the student’s age, grade level, academic history and educational goals.
The District will lend each full-time student enrolled in the virtual instruction program who qualifies for free or reduced-price school lunches under the National School Lunch Act, or who is on the direct certification list, and who does not have a computer or Internet access in his or her home with all technology equipment necessary for participation in the virtual instruction program.
