The Illinois State Board of Education announced late last week that remote learning days will start for students across the state Tuesday, March 31 and will continue until in-person classes resume.
These days are counted as school days and do not need to be made up at the end of year.
Districts are instructed to implement either an e-learning plan or a remote learning plan that gives students access to instruction and teachers through any means possible.
ISBE says school districts can use up to five planning days after March 30 to work on their remote or e-learning plans. The state agency offers districts guidelines for best practices for instruction during this time, as well as specific guidance for English language learners and students with disabilities
State officials strongly encourage school districts to use grading policies that don’t harm students. ISBE also recommends districts use pass or incomplete grading, while allowing students the opportunity to redo, make up or try again to complete or show progress on an assignment during remote learning days.
State officials say the focus should be on keeping students safe both emotionally and physically, fed and engaged in the learning process.