1. (1) As used in this Chapter:

   1. (a) “Authorizer” has the same meaning given in T.C.A. § 49-13-104.
   2. (b) “Charter Management Organization” or “CMO” means a non-profit entity that manages or operates two (2) or more public charter schools.
   3. (c) “Instructional Time” means the amount of instruction provided through synchronous or asynchronous instruction, or a combination of the two (2), as defined in this rule. To the extent practicable, instruction delivered remotely must be as commensurate in quality, rigor, and effectiveness as in-person instructional time.
   4. (d) “Remote Instruction” means instruction that takes place when teachers are not providing in-person instruction to students within the traditional school setting. Remote instruction provided pursuant to an approved CLP qualifies as a virtual education program pursuant to T.C.A. Title 49, Chapter 16 and State Board rules.
   5. (e) “CLP” means continuous learning plan.
   6. (f) “Synchronous Instruction” means instruction provided by a Tennessee educator to a student or students at the same time but not necessarily in the same place who engage in instruction while it occurs. This may include, but is not limited to, in-person instruction or telephonic, Internet-based, or other appropriate methods of communication as outlined in the approved CLP and may include full-class or small-group instruction or one-on-one instruction between student and teacher.
   7. (g) “Asynchronous Instruction” means instruction provided by a Tennessee educator to students who participate in instruction at a separate time from when the teacher delivered the instruction. This may include, but not be limited to, methods such as printed work materials, teacher-assigned individual or group projects, audio- or video-recorded lessons, or online course modules, or other appropriate methods as outlined in the approved CLP.
   8. (h) “Public Charter School” means a Tennessee public charter school authorized to operate under T.C.A. Title 49, Chapter 13.
   9. (i) “Material Revisions” include, but are not limited to, changes to the instructional schedule that affect how students receive instruction daily to meet the required minimum hours of instruction; changes that result in the LEA or Public Charter School using textbooks or instructional materials that are not on the state-approved list, unless the LEA or public charter school has been granted a waiver pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-6-2206 or T.C.A. § 49- 13-111; and changes to the attendance policy or procedure that affect how daily student attendance is determined.
   10. (j) “Department” means the Tennessee Department of Education.
   11. (k) “LEA” means local education agency and has the same meaning given in T.C.A. § 49-1- 103(2).

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 49-1-102, 49-1-104(h), 49-1-302, 49-6-3002, 49-6-3004, and 49-13-111. Administrative History: Emergency rules filed July 2, 2020; effective through December 29, 2020. Emergency rules expired effective December 30, 2020, and the rules reverted to their previous statuses. Emergency rules filed August 26, 2020; effective through February 22, 2021. Emergency rules expired effective February 23, 2021, and the rules reverted to their previous statuses. Emergency rules filed November 19, 2020; effective through May 18, 2021. Emergency rules expired effective May 19, 2021, and the rules reverted to their previous statuses. New rules filed April 22, 2021; effective July 21, 2021.