The Kentucky Department of Education has approved waivers that allow some school districts’ use of virtual or ‘non-traditional’ means of instruction when school is cancelled because of weather or other emergencies. In most cases, students will participate in lessons online.

Clinton County is one of 44 districts in the state approved for the new program and the local school system will begin the program, on a as-need basis, in January 2016. The state allows anywhere from four to 10 days of non-traditional instruction and Clinton County has opted to use four days, depending on the number of days missed in a school year and whether or not any or all of the days are needed.

Under the provisions of the waiver, a district may count up to 10 non-traditional instruction days in its school calendar and not have to make them up.

“As we have been reminded in the last couple of years, weather is unpredictable, and when harsh weather hits, it creates a significant hardship for both teachers and students alike,” said Education Commissioner Terry Holliday. “For the last two years, many of our districts were forced to close for several days or weeks at a time due to snow and cold, which not only disrupted instruction but also extended the school year for many. While we hope that this winter will not be as bad, now students in the approved districts will be able to carry on with learning–even when inclement weather keeps them out of the classroom.”

The 44 districts that received non-traditional instruction waivers for the next school year had to submit applications that described their plans for learning while school was not in session. The applications were scored on a rubric that evaluated teaching methods, equal access to the lessons for students without Internet access, staff deployment, community management and assessment of student learning.

All 173 school districts were eligible to apply for the non-traditional instruction waivers. House Bill 211, which passed in 2014, revised KRS 158.070(9), to allow the education commission to grant up to 10 student attendance days to districts that had an approved alternative instruction plan.

The law also requires the district to prove how teaching and learning would not be negatively impacted. Previously only districts that missed more than 20 school days were eligible.

In the spring, districts approved for waivers will submit documentation of student and faculty participation and measurements of student learning for the missed days.

The Kentucky Department of Education will then determine the number of regular attendance days granted to the district under the provision of the waiver.

During the 2014-15 school year, 13 districts participated in the program. Each was ultimately approved for between four to 10 non-traditional instructional days.

Each is participating in the program again this year along with 31 districts new to the program, according to an article on Kyforward.com.

The following are portions of the local school districts application and plans for the non-traditional school days during the next school year:

“When students miss so many regularly scheduled instructional days during the year, the continuity of their education is adversely affected. The district has developed a non-traditional learning plan that will allow students to continue their education momentum during times when “traditional” school days are not an option. Through working online or with prepared packets of individual assignments, students will be afforded quality learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom setting.

Through a variety of internet-based programs accessed through the district website, our stud nets currently have the capability of accessing instruction at any time. An internet-based method and Cyber-snow folders for all students will roll out by January 5, 2016. Teacher web pages will post virtual Cyber-snow day assignments for students with internet accessibility. Cyber-snow folders containing hard copies of assignments will be sent home to each student. Folders will contain detailed assignments for each day. Folders will be color-coded to signify which assignment students should access on a given day. Student folders will have assignments for each class in which they are enrolled. Assignments (either online or hard copy) will focus upon developing in-depth understanding and mastery of appropriate common core and core consent standards. Based upon their personalized learning paths, students will have assignments appropriate for their individual needs.

All students will receive a packet at the beginning of the second semester of school, in case a student losses internet access sometime during the school years. Teachers will be available for assistance in a variety of ways.

Students will be able to garner access to online sources at several locations. First, each school will be open during the non-traditional school day to allow students who are able to come to school access to the computer labs. The public library had internet-connected computers for public us. There are also several places, i.e. McDonald’s, with free wi-fi access to the public. Packets will also reflect the needs of students who need accommodated materials, such as large print or braille. Special needs students who require readers will have access to online programs with oral accommodations. Those without internet access can call certified personnel for help understanding assignments.

Community partners who offer internet access, such as the Area Technology Center, SCC-Clitnon County and public library will be contacted on non-traditional days, so they will be prepared to assist any students who need to use their computers during that time. The Early Childhood Council will conduct informational sessions for daycare providers, so the daycare providers can provide assistance to children who will be under their care during non-traditional school days.. Members of the media will also be informed of the non-traditional days to help in disseminating information to parents.

Certified staff will have the option of fulfilling their contractual duties in a variety of ways. Staff planning to work virtually will be expected to keep a log of activities that fulfill their contractual obligations from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Student participation will be gathered based upon the completion of the non-traditionaal instructional assignments. All students will complete pre-designed instructional activities each day that the superintendent designates a Cyper-snow day.

Prior to the start of the 2015-16 school year, the community will be informed about the non-traditional instructional days. First, the non-traditional days will be explained to the parents and community during orientations and open houses held at each school. Each teacher will explain to the parents who visit his/her classroom during orientation how non-traditional instructional days will work. There will also be brochures and printed information that parents can take with them.

The district will use traditional media and social media to spread the message as well. Radio segments and newspaper stories will highlight the upcoming changes for students, if non-traditional days are in effect. Information will also be placed on the district website and the local cable access channel. School staff members will also present information about the new instructional methods during various community meetings.

Parents will be notified when the non-traditional days are going to be used by the One Call Now system, district website, and cable access channel. Clinton County Schools will be utilizing these days per Board of Education discretion, although the planning committee expressed a firm desire to use only three non-traditional days during the first year of implementation. Cyer-snow days will only “kick in” and be used for instruction once five days of school have already been missed for the year.