Section 7-14A-03 - Components of a virtual education plan(a) The components of a virtual education plan adopted under § 7-14A-02 of this subtitle shall include the information indicated in this section.(b) The staffing and personnel assignment plan shall provide an appropriate assignment for all school personnel and, to the extent practicable, reasonably balanced workloads.(c)(1) The student instruction plan shall include:(i) Provision of instruction through the appropriate balance of synchronous and asynchronous learning;(ii) Access to the same curriculum, subject to the equivalent standards, as provided through in-person instruction;(iii) Student engagement procedures, including methods to encourage active participation, verified student presence during an entire class period, and activated cameras when appropriate;(iv) A method for providing instructional materials to students; and(v) Attention to student equity to ensure all students are receiving a thorough and appropriate education during the period of virtual education.(2) A county board shall ensure that students with a disability are receiving their required services and a free and appropriate public education through virtual education.(d) The student assessment and learning support plan shall include: (1) The administration of regular assessments, provided that the administration does not significantly disrupt regular instruction;(2) A process for establishing benchmarks at the start and end of virtual education, and periodically during the course of virtual education if required; and(3) Provision of additional learning supports for students identified as having learning loss.(e) The social and emotional learning plan shall include:(1) An interactive social and emotional wellness component designed for the virtual education environment;(2) Regular student wellness check-ins in accordance with § 7-14A-04 of this subtitle; and(3) The development of a school behavioral health plan in accordance with § 7-14A-04 of this subtitle.(f) The community communications plan shall include: (1) A culturally appropriate family engagement plan that has methods of engaging with: (i) Parents and guardians and students from various ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds;(ii) Students eligible for aid; and(iii) Parents and guardians and students whose primary language is not English;(2) Multiple methods for communicating with students, parents and guardians, and other community stakeholders during the period of virtual education; and(3) A method for prioritizing important information that must be provided.(g) The technology plan shall include: (1) The provision of technology, including hardware and software, to students and school personnel to receive and provide instruction and support services; and(2) Access to broadband and Internet services to all students and school personnel.(h) The nutritional and health services plan shall include:(1) The places and times that students and other eligible individuals may receive free meals; and(2) The availability of health services to eligible individuals.(i) The plan for return to in-person instruction shall include: (1) Plans to return rapidly to in-person learning as soon as it is safe to do so;(2) A clear process for student engagement on return to in-person learning; and(3) Identified strategies for a return to in-person learning following a prolonged state of emergency.Added by 2023 Md. Laws, Ch. 804, Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2023.