Updated Public School Learning Models Information

Review‌ ‌the‌ ‌latest‌ ‌information‌ ‌related‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Coronavirus‌ ‌disease‌ ‌2019‌ ‌(COVID-19)‌ ‌pandemic.‌ Our special education attorneys and advocates can help you and your child prepare for the return to school.

Arlington Public Schools (APS)

• APS provided updates on the safety measures they plan to employ in the fall, including:
  • Daily health screenings and temperature checks.
  • Requiring everyone to wear face masks. They have purchased enough face masks for each student to have two and each staff member to have four.
  • Bus logistics and indoor air quality and ventilation.
  • Enhanced cleaning procedures for facilities.
• APS provided more information on the two models of learning for the 2020–2021 school year. Both models designate Mondays for teacher planning, small group interventions, and asynchronous distance learning.
  • The hybrid model will include two consecutive days of in-school learning (Tuesday/Wednesday or Thursday/Friday) and three days of asynchronous or self-directed distance learning.
    • For special education students, APS will prioritize in-person instructional time to the core content areas and provide related services via tele-therapy (when appropriate). If tele-therapy is not an appropriate format, services may be offered during in-person instruction.
  • Full-time virtual learning will include synchronous, teacher-led instruction four times a week and one day (Monday) of independent, asynchronous learning.
    • Elementary school: 2.5–3.5 hours a day of direct or synchronous instruction in language arts, math, science, social studies, and specials.
    • Middle school: Three hours a week per course of direct or synchronous instruction.
    • High school: Enroll in online courses offered by APS teachers and outside providers. These schedules will vary depending on the courses.
    • For all levels:
      • Special education students will receive support to meet Individualized Education Program requirements.
      • All students will receive weekly Social-Emotional Learning lessons.
  • For both models, distance learning does not include participation in live-stream instruction or a daily structured schedule. It may include:
    • Small group work.
    • Video introduction of new content.
    • Independent practice.
    • Help during intervention periods.
    • Engagement in teacher-supported extensions.
    • Opportunities to review material via differentiated methods.
• Parents must choose a learning model by July 20, 2020. Once chosen, students will remain in the model and any change requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If parents do not choose by July 20, the default choice will be the hybrid model.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)

• Responses to the FCPS instruction options are due July 10, 2020. If parents do not respond, the default option is in-person instruction.
• Parents do not appear to have the option to change their instruction decision, unless health conditions improve to the point that FCPS is able to resume in-person instruction for all students.

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS)

• LCPS proposes two options for families in the fall:
  • 100% distance learning.
  • A hybrid model in which students attend in-person two days a week and receive virtual distance learning the other three days of the week.
• LCPS will explain the program and answer questions in a virtual town hall meeting on July 8, 2020.
• Parents must choose a learning model by July 13, which will remain in effect for the first full semester of school.

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCPS)

• PWCPS is working on a plan for the 2020–2021 school year.
• The School Board plans to:
  • Hold a meeting on July 7 for citizens to comment about school reopenings.
  • Vote on the return to learning plan on July 15.