Jerome Joint School District No. 261

NONINSTRUCTIONAL OPERATIONS 2445

District-Provided Virtual Instruction: Attendance Tracking and Other Requirements

When providing students with virtual instruction, the District shall take the following measures to comply with Idaho Code and to ensure this instruction is of high quality. The District shall:

1. Ensure the District’s virtual instruction upholds the same academic quality and rigor as in-person instruction.  

2. Use academic measures determined by the building principal to ensure students are consistently meeting established learning goals. 

3. Obtain accreditation for any stand-alone virtual school that provides instruction to students in grades 9-12 as required by law.  

4. Use a learning management system to deliver courses. This system may be used to track student attendance through such measures as login data and participation data.  

5. Ensure that all content and curriculum is aligned with Idaho Content Standards and District’s approved curriculum. 

6. Ensure that teachers are consistently available to: 

   1. Communicate with students about the academic and other class requirements;

   2. Guide students through course material; 

   3. Provide individualized learning methods and assistance as needed; and 

   4. Assess student work, including the work of students with special learning needs; 

7. Clearly define the roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations for educators delivering virtual or hybrid instruction. Educators must understand that existing District policy is applicable as well as requirements of state and federal laws and regulations including but not limited to, Child Find, FERPA, mandatory reporting, the Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional Educators, and the Parental Rights Act. 

8. Plan and provide professional development tailored to the virtual school environment. 

9. Ensure that virtual school students receive appropriate teacher-to-student interaction, including timely and frequent feedback on student progress by maintaining regular communication through virtual meetings, messaging, and instructional platforms, and by providing consistent monitoring, assessment, and support to guide student learning and achievement. 

10. Verify student attendance by tracking the percentage of coursework the student completes in accordance with a procedure to be promulgated by the Superintendent. 

11. Create a plan to provide technical support for online course delivery. The Board directs the Superintendent or their designee to create this plan.  

12. Formally and systematically evaluate the effectiveness of virtual instruction.

These requirements shall apply regardless of whether the virtual instruction is:

1. Provided as part of a hybrid instruction model or through a program of virtual-only education; or 

2. Provided at a District building, at the student’s home or in another location, or at a combination of these. 

The Board directs the Superintendent to ensure each of the above is completed and to promulgate procedures when required to implement the practices listed above. 

The District shall document or direct its schools to document that all requirements outlined in this policy have been met and shall provide such documentation to the State Department of Education upon request.

Cross Reference: Description:

IC § 33-1612 Thorough System of Public Schools

IC 33-1619 Virtual Education Programs

IC 33-5202A Definitions

IDAPA 08.02.01.250 Pupil Accounting and Required Instructional Time

Policy History:

Adopted on: 05/26/2026