Analysis and Synopsis of Public Comment Concerning Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools (CMVS) Regulations CMR 52.00 Amendments to Special Education Regulations 603 CMR 28.00 Amendments to Innovation School Regulations 603 CMR 48.00 25, 2014 Unless otherwise indicated, to these proposed regulations, 603 CMR 52.00, as released for public comment on December “regulations” 27, 2013. References to statute” are to G.L. c. 71, § 94. Positive comments are not included in this summary. “the (highlight) identifies areas where the proposed regulations were updated. Section Summary of Comments ESE Response and Recommendation 52.02: Definitions Recommend adding should be measurable, The Department will provide guidance to help develop the 52.02 “Goals Accountability Plan achievable, and relevant to the purpose of the school Accountability Plan including specific guidelines for and population served.” 52.02 Administrator Recommend adding including statutory regulation and state laws and regulations” includes this area. “, “Federal for duties of certified administrative personnel” to help ensure the school has the right personnel managing public funding. 52.02 Applicant Recommend adding language recognizing an existing All Commonwealth of Massachusetts virtual schools Innovation Virtual School as an applicant and that the holding a certificate will be responsible for adhering to the school convert to a CMVS. regulations once they are effective. The statute specifies Recommend requiring ten or more parents to for eligible applicants and expansion of these categories would a certificate and include with parents in require legislation. The statute specifies that private and “guardians” (f) to mirror charter requirements. parochial schools and for-profit entities cannot apply. The Recommend adding language from statute that regulations reiterate this in 52.03(3). private, parochial and for-profits cannot apply for a certificate.
Analysis and Synopsis of Public Comment Concerning Commonwealth of Massachusetts Virtual Schools (CMVS) Regulations CMR 52.00 Amendments to Special Education Regulations 603 CMR 28.00 Amendments to Innovation School Regulations 603 CMR 48.00 25, 2014 Unless otherwise indicated, “regulations” to these proposed regulations, 603 CMR 52.00, as released for public comment on December 27, 2013. References to “the statute” are to G.L. c. 71, § 94. Positive comments are not included in this summary. (highlight) identifies areas where the proposed regulations were updated. Section Summary of Comments ESE Response and Recommendation 52.02: Definitions 52.02 Accountability Plan Recommend adding “Goals should be measurable, achievable, and relevant to the purpose of the school and population served.” The Department will provide guidance to help develop the Accountability Plan including specific guidelines for 52.02 Administrator Recommend adding “, including statutory regulation for duties of certified administrative personnel” to help ensure the school has the right personnel managing public funding. “Federal and state laws and regulations” includes this area. 52.02 Applicant Recommend adding language recognizing an existing Innovation Virtual School as an applicant and that the school convert to a CMVS. Recommend requiring ten or more parents to for a certificate and include “guardians” with parents in (f) to mirror charter requirements. Recommend adding language from statute that private, parochial and for-profits cannot apply for a certificate. All Commonwealth of Massachusetts virtual schools holding a certificate will be responsible for adhering to the regulations once they are effective. The statute specifies eligible applicants and expansion of these categories would require legislation. The statute specifies that private and parochial schools and for-profit entities cannot apply. The regulations reiterate this in 52.03(3).