Proposals offer families additional choices for how students receive instruction
The Jefferson County Board of Education at its April 20th meeting heard several proposals for the 2021-22 school year that would offer families additional choices for how their students receive instruction.
Among the proposals discussed:
- Full-time Virtual School for Grades 6 to 12. The District proposed expanding and re-envisioning Jefferson County High School into a cutting edge, rigorous, first-option Virtual School for grades 6 to 12.
- Voluntary Supplemental School Year (established by SB 128). Senate Bill 128 permits local school boards to decide whether or not to offer current students the opportunity “to use the 2021-2022 school year as a supplemental year to retake or supplement the course or grades the student has already taken.”
- The deadline to request a supplemental year is May 1. The board must decide by June 1 if JCPS will participate.
- The district also presented information for consideration of adding instructional days to the calendar, and moving back school start times. Research shows these strategies offer a more effective use of instructional time, leading to improve attendance and enhance academic achievement.
No vote was taken on these options.
- In addition, the district presented its plan for summer learning opportunities. The programs would provide supplemental learning through interactive, student-centered activities. Registration information will be available soon.
In other business, the board:
- Heard a report on the Review Process and Recommended Changes to the Student Support and Behavior Intervention Handbook.
- Approved organizational charts and job descriptions for Academic Services and General Counsel to create better efficacy for the district.
- Accepted $389,210.00 from the Kentucky Department of Education for school security projects.
- Approved the JCPS Continuation of Learning Plan, to allow Jefferson County Public Schools to participate in the Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) program in the 2021-2022 school year, if needed.