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Instructional Continuity Plan (ICP)

Senate Bill 153 outlines California’s Instructional Continuity Plan (ICP) requirements, which mandates that every Local Educational Agency (LEA) include an ICP within its Comprehensive School Safety Plan (CSSP) by July 1, 2025. This state-level directive reflects a proactive shift toward ensuring that students have consistent access to education in the face of natural disasters or emergencies that disrupt traditional instruction.

The Instructional Continuity Plan (ICP) outlines how the SAn Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) will ensure students continue to receive instruction during emergencies, such as natural disasters, as required by California Senate Bill 153. The plan, which is part of the District’s Comprehensive School Safety Plan, guarantees access to instruction within 10 instructional days of a disruption. It includes three instructional models—in-person, hybrid, and distance learning—all designed to meet state instructional requirements and maintain academic rigor. The District maintains a 1:1 Chromebook program, provides internet hotspots for families in need, and delivers instruction through Canvas, the District’s learning management system.

Communication with students and families will occur within five calendar days of an emergency through text, email, phone calls, ParentSquare, and social media, with a strong emphasis on two-way engagement. The plan ensures equitable access to learning for students with IEPs, 504 plans, Multilingual Learners, foster and homeless youth, and those with individual health needs. Mental health and wellness services are available through on-site and virtual counseling, with materials and support provided in multiple languages. Academic progress is monitored through daily attendance, regular assessments (e.g., MAP, ELPAC, CAASPP), and targeted interventions, especially on Wednesdays. Staff receive ongoing professional development to support high-quality remote and hybrid instruction. Emergency preparedness measures include stored food, water, and medications at each site, and collaboration with local agencies for continuity of services. The plan is reviewed and updated annually in coordination with educational partners to reflect community needs and evolving best practices

Summary of Key Components Included in the Plan:

  • Instructional Models: Description of the In-Person, Hybrid, and Distance Learning models, including instructional minutes requirements for traditional, continuation, and alternative schools.
  • Access to Instruction and Materials: Guidelines for distributing digital and non-digital learning materials, use of the Canvas LMS, and strategies for ensuring equitable access to technology and internet.
  • Attendance and Engagement: Protocols for tracking participation and re-engaging students who miss instruction, especially within Independent Study programs.
  • Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion: Targeted support for Multilingual Learners, students with disabilities, foster youth, students experiencing homelessness, and those with Individual Health Plans (IHPs).
  • Assessment and Progress Monitoring: Use of local and state assessments, including ELPAC and CAASPP, to monitor student learning and adjust instruction.
  • Special Education and EL Services: Continued implementation of IEPs and designated/integrated English Language Development (ELD) services aligned with the California English Learner Roadmap.
  • Mental Health and Wellness Supports: A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for student mental health, with access to school-based and community-based services in multiple languages.
  • Professional Learning: Ongoing training for staff in digital instruction, culturally responsive teaching, SEL, and trauma-informed practices to ensure readiness for any instructional shift.
  • Communication and Engagement: Clear two-way communication protocols with families and staff, using multiple platforms and available in multiple languages.
  • Emergency Preparedness: Strategies for maintaining food, water, medication, and access to essential services, as well as criteria for returning to in-person instruction.