SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- The San Diego Unified School District, one of the state's largest districts, begins the new school year online Monday.
Even though California has given both private and public schools in San Diego County the green light to reopen schools on Tuesday, Sept. 1, SD Unified officials say for now they will stick with distance learning.
The district's online instruction plan includes:
- A six-hour school day with customized learning experiences for each K-12 student
- All students will have daily, live interaction with their teachers via video conferencing
- Custom learning experiences will be based on student needs and will include daily live, online instruction (up to three hours), independent learning (at least two hours), working with other students in small groups or participating in educator office hours (at least one hour)
- All Elementary students will receive instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, and the arts
- Students will receive grades to measure their progress
Some children who have faced learning challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be offered appointments for in-person sessions, which could begin as soon as late September, according to the district.
"The teacher will of course try various interventions teaching strategies online, but if the teacher comes to the conclusion that this student would benefit from in-person interventions, then the teacher will reach out to the family," said San Diego Education Association President Kisha Borden.
Students will be identified by their teachers for participation based on several factors: Students who had below standard marks on their spring 2020 report cards, special education students who did not meet IEP goals, and special education students with intense support needs.
The district says this option will not be offered immediately and will take teachers a few weeks to make these assessments.
