Philly School District Approves All-Online Learning Plan For Fall

PHILADELPHIA — After announcing a proposal to hold online-only classes for its students, the School District of Philadelphia Thursday approved a plan that will keep students out of school for at least the first marking period.

The board Thursday voted 7 to 1 to approve the plan put out by the district earlier this week.

In the plan, students will get five days a week of digital learning. Students will be taught online by teachers in their enrolled schools.

The district will provide Chromebook computers to students who may still be in need of a device for digital learning. Additionally, the district is working with local legislators and business leaders to determine how families can get reliable internet access for the entire school year.

The all digital model will be in effect until at least the end of the first marking period, which is Nov. 17.

After that, students would transition to the hybrid learning model — a mix of in-person and digital learning — as long as guidance from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and other indicators support it is still safe to do so. The district will make the call on transitioning to the hybrid model around that Nov. 17 date.