MPS has outlined five phases for easing back into in-person learning over time.
Phase 1
Phase 1 provides distance learning only and there is no access to school buildings for staff or students
Phase 2
In Phase 2, all learning is done through distance learning. Buildings are open and staffed with school administration and a school secretary. Community partners that provide physical and mental health support are allowed back into the building to provide some in person supports at certain buildings. Students receiving special education supports can access these services. Your school social worker has more information about services provided at your school and can make referrals to a community partner as appropriate.
Phase 3
Phase 3 will be the earliest Phase in which a student can be supported in-person by MPS staff. The majority of learning will continue to be on-line. Students, including students receiving special education services, will be selected to return to buildings for targeted supports in the areas of academics and social/emotional supports. Students receiving special education services will be prioritized and guidance for identification factors for Phase 3 are currently being worked on by Senior Leaders and the Special Education Department.
Phase 4
In Phase 4, schools will reopen on a limited basis with combination of grade level rotations. Some grade levels might continue in distance learning full-time. Students receiving special education services will be prioritized. Plans for this phase will focus on small class sizes, social distancing and defined health and safety protocols. The Special Education Department is already working on a plan of what a hybrid model might look like as we move through the school year. While we continue to work on the details, all updated information for families can be found here throughout the year.
Phase 5
In Phase 5, there will be a return to in-person instruction in schools for all students.
Special Education Distance Learning Parent Letter: English, Spanish, Somali
When all students are learning from home (Phase 2), what is the difference between homebound instruction and "regular" distance learning? "Regular" distance learning for a student is learning for the length of a typical school day which is usually about six hours at MPS. On the other hand, homebound instruction is usually one hour a day or as determined by the Special Education IEP team and provided one-to-one by a tutor who is a licensed teacher. While the curriculum may be the same as that used by the student's usual class, it is adapted and individualized to meet the student's progress needs so they can keep pace despite the much shorter instruction time.
Please checkout the Special Education Distance Learning FAQs page