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Lessons Learned: Pre-COVID-19 virtual courses prepared district for pandemic

Students in South Carolina's Pickens County School District had an easier time adapting due to prior experience managing online coursework.

Column

Curricular Counsel: How district curriculum practices changed due to COVID-19

The pandemic impacted procurement, assessment and professional development approaches. Here's how district and curriculum leaders adapted.

Night kindergarten class meets needs of working families during the pandemic

Concerns about absences and students’ difficulties with participating in daytime classes led to the development of KIPP NJ’s Evening Learning Program.

Dive Awards

District of the Year: Highline Public Schools

In a year lacking face-to-face connections, a Washington district thinks outside the box to keep its promise to know every student by name, strength and need.

Dive Awards

Principal of the Year: Henry Turner, Newton North High School

A Massachusetts principal's commitment to equity and anti-racism is a unifying force for his school community in a year of dual crises.

Dive Awards

Superintendent of the Year: Marlon Styles, Middletown City School District

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, an Ohio superintendent took his push to close equity gaps to the national stage.

Deep Dive

4 ways schools use video game design to spark interest in computer science

Districts can hook students with existing enthusiasm, helping them build technical and soft skills while also broadening STEM diversity.

How educators are tweaking grading approaches in response to the pandemic

Teachers are allowing students to revise work and stretch deadlines in attempts to fairly assess student performance this year.

ISTE 2020: Cybersecurity a K-12 essential, from protecting data to prepping students for jobs

Panelists at the annual ed tech conference last week told educators about the importance of school cybersecurity practices and how to fit the topic into curriculum and spark students' interest.

4 ways superintendents will handle snow days post-COVID-19

The pandemic-era shift to online learning raises questions for the future of other emergency closures, along with key takeaways to gain buy-in.

Schools get creative to enroll, retain youngest students during pandemic

With preschool and kindergarten attendance dipping this year — in some areas significantly — schools are implementing multiple strategies to keep learning and funding continuing.

Deep Dive

How schools are navigating meal logistics during pandemic

Where students have returned to in-person learning, entire processes have been overhauled — from the lunchroom to the classroom.

Deep Dive

What role will schools play in COVID-19 vaccine distribution?

While schools have been "very active" in vaccinations during prior epidemics, they now face increased polarization and other concerns.

Decisions to stop or start in-person K-12 learning aren't getting easier

As COVID-19 surges, school leaders are pivoting weekly to address disrupted schedules. Here's how they're navigating uncharted waters.

Opinion

How COVID-19 is affecting students with visual impairments and their educators

Among teachers who had visually impaired students taking classes alongside sighted peers, 85% said at least one student had an accessibility issue.

IDEA turns 45: Is Congress close to guaranteeing full special ed funding?

A new president and growing support among lawmakers gives proponents hope that billions more will be provided for services under the law.

Study Guide: Attendance and chronic absenteeism during COVID-19

We've gathered a selection of our coverage to help you get up to speed on how these metrics are primed to evolve in a post-pandemic world.

Q&A

Student voice changed a high-schooler's life. It now drives his leadership as a superintendent

Gregory Hutchings said his Virginia district is raising student voice, rethinking assessment, auditing policies and more to boost equity for students of color.

Deep Dive

4 ways COVID-19 could alter long-term curricular approaches

From the times and places learning occurs to what schools look like, pandemic shifts to education are unlikely to revert, experts say.

Can SpaceX satellite tech bridge the homework gap?

Looking to solve an ongoing remote hurdle experienced by many schools, a Texas district is piloting the company's Starlink tech to provide high-speed home internet to rural students and teachers.

What does Biden have planned for K-12?

The national policy director for the president-elect's campaign recently outlined Biden's thoughts on reopening, PPE funding, school police and more.

Deep Dive

3 ways K-12 schools can evolve post-pandemic

With COVID-19 creating a scenario where "things a year ago that seemed impossible are not," educators and advocates see a system ripe for change.

Q&A

Lessons In Leadership: How a Washington district's 'promise' to students guides decision-making

Superintendent Susan Enfield says a mission statement isn't enough — equity and success depend on knowing every student's name, strengths and needs.

Column

Fast Forward: States' accountability changes may impact school designations, improvement timelines

Many states are hesitating on high-stakes accountability for 2020-21, and its return may look vastly different than initially configured under ESSA. 

Deep Dive

'Relationships matter': Remote learning places new hurdles in fight against chronic absenteeism

Schools are employing a variety of tactics — including coaches, phone calls and dance parties at lunch — to boost attendance in virtual environments, but defining students' "presence" remains a challenge.