This update on the COVID slide collects and shares news updates from the district, state and national levels, while all stakeholders continue to work on developing safe and innovative plans to resume schooling and deal with learning loss. It is an offshoot of the Collaborative for Student Success COVID Slide Quick Sheet newsletter, which you can register here.
sAll executive orders signed by President Joe Biden during his first days in office were intended to help launch the government’s plan to reopen most schools in the country within 100 days, an achievement that will depend heavily on the success of intensified vaccination efforts.
Notably, Biden’s orders depended on a “data-driven” strategy, both in the context of defeating COVID-19 and in helping schools navigate and overcome the consequences of a year of disruptions. In fact, the government’s focus on the data seemed so deliberate that Test 1-2-3 author Dale Chu said the language could indicate the next decisions by Biden and Miguel Cardona, chosen by Biden to be Secretary of Education, on the issue of the federal government taking action to implement the annual federal test requirements. “Although [the order] it does not require state testing in so many words, it would be strange to talk about data collection in this way and not proceed with annual assessments this year. In fact, it would make little sense for the president to draw attention to the role that data can play in recovery just so that his Secretary of Education would dispense with the requirement for federal exams. ”
While states await further instructions from the Biden administration on spring testing, an increasing number of states are making their position clear – some being proactive in planning for the spring review window and others requesting a second year of federal layoffs. Biden’s drive to reopen schools in America comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are released, with new findings showing that schools have seen low coronavirus transmission – particularly when masks and distance are used properly.
Here are eight updates from around the country on how states and school systems are addressing the challenges posed by the emergence of the coronavirus – and working to preserve student learning in the midst of the pandemic:
1 HAWAII – Lawmakers consider strategies to reverse COVID’s learning loss
The Hawaii Higher and Lower Education Committee is discussing how best to deal with the learning loss that has occurred among students in public and autonomous schools across the state since the beginning of distance learning. Concerns are mounting after the release of new student performance data, which shows thousands of students lagging behind in various subjects and across education levels. Among the ideas proposed by lawmakers: Efforts to scale private lessons, citing innovative programs such as Hawai’i Literacy, which has already begun to show results in supporting adult students as they earn GED degrees.
2 TEXAS – Teachers focus limited time with students on fundamentals
In order to minimize the severity of learning loss for students as schools continue online, San Antonio teachers intentionally structured limited time with students to focus on a set of “enlightened priorities” – topics needed for mastery and to access school supplies. For many students, this means that their time with teachers focuses on basic reading and math skills, while social studies or science classes are increasingly being taught through apps, online platforms and similar tools. Educators report success with the approach, saying that students’ ability to make up for lost instructional time after the pandemic will depend on the development of literacy and math skills.
3 KENTUCKY – DOE seeks to expand the summer meal program to address the ‘nutritional gap’
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is looking to schools and nonprofits to help sponsor the Summer Food Service Program, which offers free meals to Kentucky children and teenagers in low-income areas during the summer. This program is likely to receive more applicants in the summer of 2021, as the coronavirus pandemic may have increased food insecurity among families.
4 SOUTH CAROLINA – Educators, district staff find lessons to improve initial test data
Educators and district leaders are reviewing the results of recent Measure for Academic Progress, or MAP, state results, which show expected declines in math and reading scores among the approximately 800,000 students in South Carolina. Despite the disappointing numbers, some expressed optimism that the results appeared less severe than in other states and that these results could be analyzed by teachers to identify where students need more support.
5 MISSISSIPPI – Tests across the state to be administered, will not affect the student’s grade progress
The Mississippi Department of Education changed exam requirements for students due to the ongoing pandemic. Third grade students will take reading, math and final exams, but will no longer need to reach a certain score to advance to fourth grade. The changes will also apply to high school students, who will not need a grade on the final exams to graduate this school year.
6 MICHIGAN – Whitmer Increases Federal School Funding with State COVID Plan
As part of a $ 5.6 billion recovery plan for COVID-19, Governor Gretchen Whitmer wants to send schools an additional $ 300 million in state funds in addition to the already determined $ 1.7 billion in federal coronavirus relief . She says the money will help schools offer an on-site learning option as early as March 1. School groups strongly approve of their plan to provide additional resources to schools.
7 PENNSYLVANIA – Philadelphia opens centers to provide assessments and assessments for students with special educational needs
Six centers have been opened by the Philadelphia School District so that educators can begin administering the annual assessments and assessments needed to develop students’ Individualized Education Plans, which determine what services students receive and ensure that needs are met in a timely manner. proper. District officials say a series of security precautions will be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and families that needed help with transport could be accommodated.
8 MARYLAND – State officials consider a list of options to help children recover
Maryland state education officials are considering the most effective way to help students who are left behind due to extended remote learning. Maryland Deputy Superintendent Carol Williamson notes that initial data shows that students may need to catch up in three months to a year of learning once they are back in the classroom. Several suggestions under consideration include summer programs, adopting new group learning formats or extending or modifying the school year calendar.
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