Digital Learning Advisory Council
January 14, 2014, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Natick High School
Meeting Minutes
1. Approved minutes from prior meetings
 12/12/13 DLAC meeting minutes - Approved
 1/7/14 DLAC Subcommittee on Commonwealth Virtual School Regulations
meeting minutes - Approved
2. Discussion of goals and outcomes of the 1/7/14 Regulations subcommittee meeting and
the format for submitting public comment.
The committee reviewed suggested language modifications from the subcommittee
report.
o DLAC recommendation that the word “research-based” be removed from
section 52.04 3(h). DLAC discussion recommended replace “research-based”
with “rigorous”.
3. Discussion of items the subcommittee recommended be addressed in guidance
The committee discussed the following items: charges that can be made by virtual
programs related to online courses; guidance on how districts an school committees can
remain informed of CMVS enrollment and budget, particularly as it relates to
homeschoolers; how “arrange transportation” will be interpreted with examples of how
this may play out and whether there are financial implication for the family or the school;
examples of what it means that CMVS “shall not use technology incentives”; and the
need for assessment for success in the specific environment that the CMVS will be
providing.
The last item re: assessment generated a longer discussion addressing whether to use a
standard assessment; whether the assessment should specifically be aligned to the
particular CMVS model; and whether to focus on providing requirements for success
and support as more important than requiring an initial assessment to be provided.
4. Briefings on key topic areas by Luis Rodriguez
 Funding briefing explaining monthly payment system and enrollment counts; penalties at the end of
the year Luis provided an overview of the funding cycle over the first two years of
operation.
o DLAC recommendation to extend the pre-enrollment period particularly for
first year of operation, to give the CMVS more time to recruit.
o DLAC recommendation that there be a January 15 enrollment check, just as
an informational check.
 SPED briefing explaining relationship between CMVS and sending district Luis provided an
overview to the incremental payments process and template; and requirements
regarding role of sending district and CMVS.
o DLAC recommendation that sending district be required to be part of IEP
discussions in BOTH in- and out-of district placements; also that guidance
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be provided for informing the sending district of significant changes in the
IEP.
Briefing on the methodology and policy intent for counting part-time enrollment towards the 5%
requirement within the district or collaborative operating a CMVS.
o DLAC recommendation that the Board revisit this next year, once there is
more data
5. Key questions for DLACs to discuss and craft recommendations
 Should CMVS be able to enroll out of state students as full or part time? Related
question, should CMVS be able to sell to out of state individual seats or courses?
The question was raised whether to recommend that Ch71 Section 6.A be amended
to allow out of state students to be able to be enrolled in CMVS)
o DLAC Recommendation that this be revisited within a year (noting it would
require a statutory change), perhaps to create an opportunity for functioning
virtual schools to admit out of state students.
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
Should the committee recommend an additional check on enrollment numbers in
the middle of the school year to guide monthly funding allotments?
o Motion made and approved to add an additional check enrollment check,
perhaps on 1/15 and include full SIMS data.
Should CMVS follow the same teacher evaluation requirements that other schools in
the state are subject to? - No recommendation was made
6. Key summary DLAC recommendations
o Recommended a change in regulations language replacing “research based”
to “rigorous competency based”
o Recommended that regulations include add 1/15 check on enrollment tied
to SIMS
o Motion that regulations into sending district attend initial transition meeting
with CMVS for both in-district and out of district placement
o Recommended to revisit with in one year whether out-of-state placements
should be allowed
7. CMVS regulations will be going to board in March
8. Agenda ideas for next meeting
a. Draft Performance Criteria will be distributed to committee – meet in early April
b. DLAC reflection on Boards recommendations
c. Potentially an update on infrastructure
d. Digital Literacy subcommittee
e. Merge Infrastructure + Digital Access committees – and meet prior to next full
DLAC meeting
9. Adjourn