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District presents draft remote instruction plan; board asked to consider policy language
Summary
Wake County Schools staff presented a draft remote instruction plan that would permit up to five emergency remote instructional days (no more than 30 instructional hours per school year) if the board chooses to retain the option. Staff said the plan must be on file with the Department of Public Instruction by June 30 if the district wants to keep
Wake County Schools staff presented a draft emergency remote instruction plan to the Student Achievement Committee and asked the board to consider whether to retain the option and, if so, to review policy language that would govern deployment.
"Remote learning is not about replacing the classroom. It's about extending its reach," a slide attributed to a national expert was presented by staff to describe the district's approach. Staff emphasized that state legislation limits emergency remote instruction to no more than five instructional days and a total of 30 instructional hours in a school year.
What staff proposed and why
- Purpose and limits: Staff said the district's draft plan would be used only during emergency closures and must meet state statutory requirements; districts that wish to use remote instruction must file a plan with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) by June 30 prior to the school year. The district has kept a plan on file since the 2021–22 school year and typically is asked annually whether it wishes to carry forward the plan or update it.
- Core components: Staff described required plan components from DPI: alignment with state standards, communication and training, one learning management system (the district uses Canvas), tools and procedures for teachers and families, and offline paper‑based options for students without reliable internet access. Dr. Kendra King (staff) said plans must ensure instructional continuity, align asynchronous work to standards and provide supports for students "where they are in their learning."
- Accessibility and special populations: Staff highlighted the need to provide offline and low‑tech options for early elementary students and for families affected by power outages or limited internet. Committee members asked specifically about exceptional children; staff said the plan must address how services for students with disabilities will be delivered during any remote deployment.
- Deployment triggers and policy: Under current board policy 3102, deployment is considered only after banked days and work days are exhausted and other alternatives (Saturday make‑ups, calendar adjustments) have been considered. Staff said the policy committee will likely review possible language changes to clarify who may direct remote deployment and under which conditions.
- Practical considerations and supports: Board members asked how the district would communicate expectations, whether teachers would offer optional office hours during remote days, and how to balance online and paper assignments. Staff said the district would continue to refine teacher guidance, build templates and ensure families and schools are prepared in advance when closures are foreseeable.
Next steps: staff said they will update the draft based on committee feedback and policy committee direction, then submit a final plan to DPI by June 30 if the board wishes to retain the remote‑instruction option. No committee vote to adopt the plan was recorded in the transcript; staff described the presentation as information and a precursor to policy committee review.
