Educators recognize that new state laws require accounting for instructional time and student attendance related to distance learning to meet compulsory education requirements. But an optional template created by the California Department of Education (CDE) to track daily participation and weekly engagement is creating unnecessary and onerous compliance burdens for educators that is taking time away from teaching and instructional preparation.

• As implemented in many districts the form is excessively time consuming and is increasing workloads. We want to TEACH! The mind-numbing, over-wrought reporting requirements are taking valuable time away from our students and their education. It is a documented fact that prepping lessons and instruction for distance learning takes at least three times as much time as prepping for our traditional classrooms. Educators do not need another bureaucratic requirement that usurps our limited time and energy. We need our time and energy for our students!
• The form is yet another change mid-stream. Educators need stability not constantly changing requirements, protocols, and guidance.
• Lack of teacher input on process, procedures, and protocols has made the situation worse. The cumbersome requirements are creating undo stress and impacting teacher morale with many educators now asking about retirement.
• Some districts are even trying to use the form to add evaluative or other educator-centered measures to the record keeping, which are clearly not required by law and smacks as a lack of trust and respect for teachers.