Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley. (State House News Service)
Public schools in Massachusetts will have to begin offering in-person learning to elementary school students five days a week next month.
It s the first decision education Commissioner Jeff Riley made under new authority approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Friday afternoon, by a vote of 9-3. Under the regulation change, Riley can determine when remote-only education will no longer be an option for districts. The time is now to bring our kids back to school, said Riley during Friday s meeting.
State officials said the plan to open classrooms for elementary students would allow districts who have been remote-only for most of the school year to take a more graduated approach to fully reopening their buildings. Parents would still have the option to choose remote learning for their children through at least the end of this school year.