Page 2

Deep Dive

Weaving anti-bias and equity into curricula begins with self-reflection

Through professional development and other avenues, educators can root out their own biases to support culturally responsive approaches to learning.

Ed Dept makes case for $102.8B proposal for FY 2022

Pandemic recovery and equitable practices are highlighted in the budget plan, which calls for a 41% boost in education funding over the current fiscal year.

Professional learning communities crucial to build school culture around diversity, inclusion

PLCs can provide opportunities for participants to speak and listen from the heart, accept feedback and create change, an education coach suggests.

Deep Dive

Decoding the Divide: 29M disconnected households remain an 'unknown known'

Students who fell into the digital divide were especially impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns. Many still lack access due to affordability or infrastructure gaps.

Deep Dive

Decoding the Divide: How COVID-19 thrust a long-widening digital gap into the spotlight

The pandemic forced emergency investment to connect all students to digital learning opportunities, but holes remain in access and training.

States delay federal aid distribution, hampering district budgeting, programs

Delays have been especially noticeable in ESSER I and II, impacting plans for summer school and leaving superintendents to fly blind when budgeting.

Florida district leaders share best practices from a year of reopened schools

For many administrators, the return to classrooms drove home the importance of tech, in-person instruction, flexibility and communication.

How are districts planning to spend American Rescue Plan funds?

Considering relief funds will last approximately three years, superintendents are anticipating a fiscal cliff and being strategic with investments.

Pandemic pivot: How a CTE high school spread SEL across curriculum

Instead of pausing its SEL program during the pandemic, New York's Business Technology Early College High School expanded student and parent outreach.

Promising Practices: New Hampshire partnerships support students with vision impairments

The program seeks to reduce teacher shortages and improve services to students who are blind or have low vision.

After 'dramatic paradigm shift' for districts, more Title IX changes expected

Less than a year after an overhaul one district leader called "a Frankenstein's monster of confusion" for districts, what might a new round of changes bring?

States, districts debate whether to end remote learning option

The 2021-22 school year will likely be a transition year during which districts will start to phase out their locally created remote learning models.

Colorado district's CBE approach may offer solutions to address learning gaps

Researchers and district officials shared recommendations for adopting competency-based and personalized approaches in the return from COVID-19.

Will the class of 2021 have 'normal' senior celebrations?

Though some school systems remain wary of gatherings like proms and graduations, many are cautiously planning with ample safety measures.

Q&A

Lessons In Leadership: Texas superintendent stresses importance of speaking to people's hearts

Klein Independent School District's Jenny McGown says clear, transparent and empathetic messaging has been crucial during the pandemic.

3 strategies for improving school safety amid classroom returns

School violence often increases after long breaks, but as students return to in-person learning, administrators can take steps to prevent it.

Report: Prepare now for predicted kindergarten 'bubble'

This fall's kindergarten cohort and some 1st grade classes could have greater age differences and skill disparities, according to a new NWEA report.

Deep Dive

How to weave real-world phenomena into science lessons

From vaccine development to climate change, these examples can help students find relevance in what they're studying.

District leaders detail 4 best practices for hosting school vaccination clinics

Protecting privacy, coordinating partnerships and choosing locations familiar to the public are key as superintendents embrace an "opportunity to save lives."

5 ways COVID-19 is influencing school construction projects

Three relief funding bills have injected $190.5 billion in funds for K-12, and leaders are eyeing needed improvements highlighted by the pandemic.

3 ways students inspired educators during the pandemic

Teachers from Indiana, Texas and South Dakota share how students' perseverance and resilience motivated them through trying times.

3 takeaways from the Ed Department's National Safe School Reopening Summit

The Wednesday virtual event allowed educators to share pandemic experiences and key strategies amid the push to return to in-person learning.

Q&A

Lessons In Leadership: South Carolina principal works nights to help families

When Henry Darby saw struggles increase for families in his high school during the pandemic, he took a second job at Walmart to help them make ends meet.

How 5 superintendents are planning the 2021-22 school year

District leaders say they're cautiously optimistic that they'll offer full-time in-person learning for all students this fall.

Column

Teachable Moments: The 2 Cs of maintaining school community through pandemic

A New York City principal shares how communication and collaboration were critical in successfully guiding students and faculty through the crisis with familiar practices.