Massachusetts Digital Learning Landscape
Massachusetts DESE, a DLC State Affiliate, was instrumental in conducting the research for this profile.
| State virtual school? | NO |
| Multi-district fully online schools? | YES |
| Online learning requirement for graduation? | NO |
| State approval process for online providers? | NO |
| State approval process for online courses? | NO |
Massachusetts has two multi-district fully online schools and a few supplemental options for students through their home districts. VHS Learning, a consortium of school and district members from Massachusetts and across the country, served 6,728 supplemental course enrollments across the state during the 2021-22 SY.
TEC Connections Academy Commonwealth Virtual School had 2,686 student enrollments in the 2021-22 SY. Greater Commonwealth Virtual School had 1,030 student enrollments in SY 2021-22 SY. Both serve students K-12. The Massachusetts Department of Education publishes commonwealth virtual schools accountability reports.
The state allows Single District Virtual Schools (SDVS) that only enroll students who live in the single school district operating the virtual school, although none were operating through the 2020-21 SY. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has received proposals from 13 districts seeking to implement SDVS for FY 2022. While SDVS do not follow the same process as multi-district fully online schools, there are certain requirements (G.L. c. 71, § 94(s) that do apply. The DESE is partnering with VHS Learning to create the STEM Advanced Placement Access Expansion Opportunity (SAPAO) program, a statewide initiative to provide online access to advanced coursework in STEM subjects at no cost to schools and students. DESE also provides access to a limited number of non-credit online courses and activities for student enrichment through EverFi, including digital citizenship.
State Policies
No major legislation impacting online and/or blended learning was passed January through August 2022.
Online schools operate under “An Act Establishing Commonwealth Virtual Schools” (H4274/Chapter 379) which was approved by the legislature in January 2013, providing a framework for online and supplemental K–12 educational opportunities for students. It defined “Commonwealth virtual school” as a public school operated by a board of trustees whose teachers primarily teach from a remote location using the Internet or other computer-based methods, and whose students are not required to be located at the physical premises of the school.
The state does not have an approval process for online providers but must approve statewide virtual schools.