Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan

The Learning Continuity Plan is a key part of the overall budget package for K–12 that seeks to address funding stability for schools while providing information at the LEA level for how student learning continuity will be addressed in light of the COVID-19 crisis in the 2020–21 school year. The provisions for the plan were approved by the Governor and Legislature in June in SB 98 and can be found in EC Section 43509.

The Learning Continuity Plan is intended to balance the needs of all stakeholders, including educators, parents, students and community members, while streamlining engagement and condensing several preexisting plans. In particular, it was important to combine (1) the intent behind Executive Order N-56-20, published in April 2020, which envisioned an off cycle LCAP due December 15th, and (2) the ongoing need for LEAs to formally plan to return to school in the midst of uncertainty caused by COVID-19, without requiring two plans. The Learning Continuity Plan replaces the LCAP for the 2020–21 school year.

The Learning Continuity Plan adoption timeline of September 30, 2020 is intended to ensure the Learning Continuity Plan is completed in the beginning of the 2020–21 school year. Additionally, the timeline is intended to allow for communication of decisions that will guide how instruction will occur during the 2020–21 school year. This includes in person instruction, according to health guidance, and distance learning, while providing critical opportunities for stakeholder engagement.

The Learning Continuity Plan template memorializes the planning process already underway for the 2020–21 school year and includes descriptions of the following: addressing gaps in learning; conducting meaningful stakeholder engagement; maintaining transparency; addressing the needs of unduplicated pupils, students with unique needs, and students experiencing homelessness; providing access to necessary devices and connectivity for distance learning; providing resources and supports to address student and staff mental health and social emotional well-being; and continuing to provide school meals for students.

The Learning Continuity Plan Template will be posted on the CDE's web page by August 1, 2020.

Statute specifies that any Learning Continuity Plan adopted by an LEA must include all of the information specified in the Template developed by the Superintendent.

No. The eTemplate system was developed specifically for the LCAP and will not be available for the Learning Continuity Plan.

Yes. The Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan Template will be translated into the top five languages spoken in California. The translated templates will be posted on this web page within the coming week.

Yes, Statute requires that an LEA hold a public hearing for review and comment for the Learning Continuity Plan. Executive Order N-29-20 (PDF) provides certain authorization for conducting public meetings via teleconferencing.

Please note: LEAs shall provide options for remote participation in public hearings and at the public board meeting at which the Learning Continuity Plan is adopted.

Yes. Consistent with the requirement to solicit comment for actions and proposed budget expenditures, the public must also have the opportunity to review the Learning Continuity Plan prior to the public hearing. The agenda for the public hearing must be posted no less than 72 hours prior to the public hearing, along with the location where the Learning Continuity Plan will be available for public inspection.

Statute specifies that the Learning Continuity Plan must be adopted at a public board meeting. Statute does not require that the public hearing or adoption occur at pre-scheduled board meetings.

The governing board of an LEA shall adopt the Learning Continuity Plan in a public meeting. This meeting shall be held after, but not on the same day as, the public hearing.

To adopt the Learning Continuity Plan as a consent item would be inconsistent with the intention of transparency and stakeholder engagement in the development, review, and adoption of the Learning Continuity Plan.

LEAs must prominently post the Learning Continuity Plan on the homepage of the LEA's website, consistent with the LCAP posting requirements as specified in EC sections 52065 and 47606.5.

COEs must prominently post all Learning Continuity Plans submitted by school districts and charter schools, or links to those Plans, on the COE's website.

An LEA must consult with parents, pupils, teachers, principals, administrators, other school personnel, and local bargaining units, in developing its Learning Continuity Plan.

During the consultation and stakeholder feedback process regarding the development of the Learning Continuity Plan, LEAs shall include efforts to reach pupils, families, educators, and other stakeholders who do not have internet access, or speak languages other than English.

Specifically, an LEA shall:

• Solicit recommendations and comments regarding specific actions and expenditures proposed to be included in the Learning Continuity Plan.
• Provide the opportunity to submit written comments regarding specific actions and expenditures proposed to be included in the Learning Continuity Plan.
• Present the Learning Continuity Plan to the Parent Advisory Committee and the English Learner Parent Advisory Committee for review and comment.*
  • District and COE superintendents must respond in writing to comments received from these committees.
• Present the Learning Continuity Plan to the community at a public hearing of the governing board for review and comment (72 hour posting requirement).
• Adopt the Learning Continuity Plan in a public meeting after the public hearing and not on the same day as the public hearing.

While LCFF statute and spending regulations establish the requirements for, and the composition requirements of, a PAC and English Learner PAC, the statute and regulations do not contemplate the length of time members would serve on such committees. As such, length of service of committee members would be established at the local level and should be consistent with any such bylaws established for those committees.

However, school districts and COEs are not required to establish a new PAC or English Learning PAC if existing committees meet the composition requirements specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 5 (5 CCR) Section 15495(b) and (f).

As part of the stakeholder engagement process, an LEA must consult with parents, pupils, teachers, principals, administrators, other school personnel, and local bargaining units, in developing its Learning Continuity Plan. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many LEAs may have begun the engagement process to develop their LCAP. As LEAs responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with school closures and developed distance learning options, LEAs most likely continued to engage with stakeholders to develop options to best meet the needs of the community and its students.

To the extent that prior engagement is consistent with the requirements to develop the Learning Continuity Plan, an LEA may consider input from previous stakeholder engagement or consultation activities. Please see the overview of the specific consultation and stakeholder engagement requirements in developing the Learning Continuity Plan.

No. Statute specifies that the superintendent of the school district and the county superintendent of schools shall present the Learning Continuity Plan to the PAC and English Learner PAC, as applicable (consistent with EC Section 52063), separately, for review and comment.

Yes. Consistent with charter school reporting requirements, the charter school will submit its Learning Continuity Plan to its chartering authority and the COE, or only to the COE if it is the chartering authority.

No. Statute does not provide for chartering authorities to submit recommendations with respect to a charter school's Learning Continuity Plan.

Yes. Statute requires that an LEA hold a public hearing for review and comment for both the Learning Continuity Plan and Budget Overview for Parents.

Yes. Charter schools and single school districts will be required to complete a SPSA, consistent with EC Section 64001, and form an SSC, consistent with EC Section 65000 or EC Section 65001, to meet federal school planning and stakeholder requirements for the 2020–21 school year.

As a convenience, the CDE has developed a SPSA template that, if completed consistent with the provided instructions, will meet federal school planning requirements. The CDE’s SPSA template is located under “Other Planning Templates” in the Local Control and Accountability Plan web page.

The Learning Continuity Plan shall describe how federal and state funding included in the original or revised budget adopted by the LEA is used to support the efforts described in the Plan including funds provided for learning loss mitigation. Identifying other specific funding sources is not required by statute.

Yes. The Learning Continuity Plan shall include a description of how the LEA is increasing or improving services for its unduplicated pupils consistent with 5 CCR Section 15496.

Please see the FAQ above addressing which funds must be included in the Learning Continuity Plan.