NJ Issues School Virtual-Learning Rules, But Big Changes Possible

NEW JERSEY – New Jersey issued its rules for virtual learning on Friday as Gov. Phil Murphy said he's ready to make big changes to school reopening plans if the coronavirus crisis worsens, adding that the Garden State "is not out of the woods yet." Murphy made the statement as he revealed 488 additional coronavirus cases and 36 more confirmed deaths (you can watch it here, below).

Even though he was offering virtual learning as an option, Murphy indicated he's ready to pull the plug on the Garden State's reopening plans if there are too many "flare-ups" of the virus.

That would mean shifting New Jersey's schools to all virtual learning, Murphy said, noting that "the health and safety for our school communities is paramount."

"We will continue to closely follow the public health data as we progress through the rest of this month and into August," he said. "We will continue to assess the realities of this virus on the ground and how they may impact schools' plans broadly, and we will make changes in real time if needed."

A number of educators have expressed concerns about going back to school, and some have even drawn up wills and taken extra precautions in case they get the virus.

Indeed, New Jersey teachers have developed what may be considered a strict set of possible ground rules for getting kids back to school in the fall. Read more: NJ Teachers Develop Possible Back-To-School Coronavirus Rules

The rules were a response to Murphy issuing a list of rules and guidelines for reopening schools this fall amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ School Reopening Rules Amid Coronavirus

Murphy said the specific plans for virtual learning will be largely determined by the school districts themselves, and the state will allow for flexibility.

"Allowing this option will help decrease the student density within our schools and allow classroom spaces to stretch further to ensure proper social distancing," Murphy said.

Kevin Dehmer, the interim New Jersey education commissioner, provided several of the rules and guidelines during a Friday news conference:

• All students are eligible for full-time remote learning; eligibility cannot be conditioned on a family/guardian demonstrating a risk of illness or other selective criteria. This includes students with disabilities who attend in-district schools or receiving schools (county special services school districts, educational services commissions, jointure commissions, Katzenbach School for the Deaf, regional day schools, college-operated programs and approved private schools for students with disabilities).
• It is important to clearly define procedures that a family/guardian must follow to submit a request for full-time remote learning, including requests to begin the school year receiving full-time remote learning and requests to transition from in-person or hybrid services to full-time remote learning during the school year. Procedures should meet the following guidelines: Clearly define deadlines for submitting a request and a district’s expected timeline for approving requests; identify points of contact for questions and concerns; clearly describe information or documentation that the family/guardian must submit with their request.
• For students with disabilities, districts must determine if an IEP meeting or an amendment to a student’s IEP is needed for full-time remote learning. Upon satisfaction of these minimum procedures, the district must approve the student’s full-time remote learning request.
• A student participating in the board’s full-time remote learning option must be afforded the same quality and scope of instruction and other educational services as any other student otherwise participating in district programs (such as students participating in a hybrid model).
• This includes, for example, access to standards-based instruction of the same quality and rigor as that afforded all other students of the district; the district making its best effort to ensure that every student participating in remote learning has access to the requisite educational technology; and the provision of special education and related services to the greatest extent possible.
• Like in-person and hybrid programs, full-time remote learning must adhere to length of school day requirements and any other local policies governing delivery of services. For families/guardians requesting that a service transition from in-person or hybrid to full-time remote, the district must clearly define any additional services, procedures, or expectations that will occur during the transition period.
• Districts should endeavor to provide supports and resources to assist families/guardians, particularly those of younger students, with meeting the expectations of the district’s remote learning option.
• Districts must define the minimum amount of time a student must spend in full-time remote learning before being eligible to transition to in-person services. This will allow families/guardians to make the arrangements needed to effectively serve students’ home learning needs and will support educators in ensuring continuity of instruction.
• It is important to clearly define procedures that a family/guardian must follow to submit a request to transition from full-time remote learning to in-person services, including any relevant timelines, points of contact for questions and concerns, and information or documentation that must accompany a request.
• Districts must define the specific student and academic services that will accompany a student’s transition from full-time remote learning to in-person learning to better assist families/guardians as they anticipate their students’ learning needs and help educators maintain continuity of services.
• School districts that offer Pre-K should consult their Pre-K curriculum providers regarding appropriate measures to assess a Pre-K students’ learning progress during the transition from full-time remote learning to in-person learning.
• To evaluate full-time remote learning, and to continue providing meaningful guidance for districts, it will be important for the NJDOE to understand the extent and nature of demand for full-time remote learning around the state. Therefore, school districts will be expected to report to the NJDOE data regarding participation in full-time remote learning.
• Data will include number of students participating in full-time remote learning by each of the following subgroups: economically disadvantaged; major racial and ethnic groups; students with disabilities; and English learners.
• Clear and frequent communication with families/guardians, in their home language, must be made to help ensure that this important flexibility is as readily accessible as possible.
• Communication must include, at a minimum, information regarding: summaries of, and opportunities to review, the district’s full-time remote learning policy; procedures for submitting full-time remote learning requests; scope and expectations of full-time remote learning; the transition from full-time remote learning to in-person services and vice-versa; and the district’s procedures for ongoing communication with families and for addressing families’ questions or concerns.

You can find more guidance here.

“Our initial guidance document was created after holding hundreds of meetings with stakeholders ranging from educators and school support staff to parents, health experts, and more,” said Dehmer. “We anticipated this will be an evolving document, shaped by continued input from stakeholders. Our announcement today is about honoring that commitment to listen to stakeholders.”

The update comes as the number of cases rose to 178,345, and 13,845 confirmed deaths were reported. Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy announced a new program on Thursday to help NJ small businesses "crushed" by the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Phil Murphy Announces Aid To Small Businesses In 64 NJ Towns

Murphy, speaking during a Wednesday news conference, said indoor yoga studios and martial arts facilities can resume operations. He made the announcement as he revealed that the Garden State has 390 additional coronavirus cases and 24 more deaths. Read more: Gov. Murphy: Indoor Martial Arts, Yoga Studios Can Resume In NJ

New Jersey expanded the list of states on its travel quarantine on Tuesday. Read more: NJ Expands Coronavirus Travel Quarantine To 31 States

Watch Murphy here:

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