HB3573 Summary

• Creates new Section 10-31 and 34-18.67 establishing "remote learning days" as an alternative to emergency days in school calendars, limited to the number of emergency days provided in the school calendar.

• Requires district superintendent approval of a remote learning plan addressing accessibility (including non-electronic materials), State learning standards, student-educator conferencing, special population needs, attendance monitoring, and minimum 5 clock hours of school work.

• Remote learning days are deemed pupil attendance days for school term calculations and can utilize Internet, phones, texts, or similar electronic communication between educators and students.

• Modifies Section 10-20.56 (e-learning programs) to allow existing approved e-learning programs to continue until expiration, after which districts must implement remote learning days under the new Section 10-31 or 34-18.67 instead.

• Effective July 1, 2021.