COVID-19 language in waivers for extracurriculars heighten reopening safety concerns

Questions of liability and safety hang heavy over schools amid pressure from the federal government and some states for in-person learning and activities.

By Naaz Modan • July 16, 2020

More robust coronavirus guidelines needed to protect high-risk educators

Specific recommendations for protecting teachers and staff from COVID-19 during in-person instruction have been slow to emerge.

By Katie Navarra • Updated July 16, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Professional Development

Personalized learning experiences aren't just a goal for the classroom anymore — they're highly sought out for PD over traditional sit-and-get seminars. And there's no shortage of topics to cover.

By K-12 Dive staff

Curricular Counsel: 4 ed leaders detail adjustments to learning models for fall

When schools reopen to whatever extent they're able to, educators will have weighed a variety of new approaches to grading, student anxiety and more.

By Roger Riddell • July 15, 2020

Supporting special needs students during remote IEP meetings, learning

There are several ways educators can help make special needs students comfortable in virtual IEP gatherings and remote environments this fall. 

By Lauren Barack • July 15, 2020

Etiquette, structure key to facilitating remote discussions

Selecting a student leader to guide conversations can also maintain a productive dynamic encouraging inclusivity, writes a teacher and debate coach.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 15, 2020

NWEA: Rethink online assessments, student growth in wake of COVID-19

The nonprofit assessment provider suggests leaders invest in aligning with hybrid and distance learning, adjusting to ensure equity and transparency.

By Naaz Modan • July 15, 2020

Black Michigan student sent to juvenile detention for failure to complete online coursework

A judge ruled the 15-year-old was in violation of her probation on previous charges, but experts say they've seen no similar cases and have raised concerns of systemic bias.

By Roger Riddell • July 15, 2020

Summer Reading: Coronavirus and the future of assessment

With many districts planning to begin the school year remotely or in hybrid models, the environment is ripe to reevaluate and reimagine practices.

July 14, 2020

Parents, teachers challenge school reopening decisions

Districts face mounting White House pressure to return to face-to-face learning, but there is pushback in certain areas against even partial reopenings.

By Naaz Modan • July 13, 2020

California district creates remote learning team to alleviate pressure on teachers

The team of six to eight educators will produce online lessons for all subjects and grade levels in a video studio being opened by the district.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 13, 2020

Watchdog report challenges Trump administration school safety recommendations

A report from the Government Accountability Office finds most school-targeted shootings take place in higher-income, low-minority areas.

By Naaz Modan • July 13, 2020

Will schools mandate COVID-19 vaccine or face liability?

Nearly all states offer nonmedical exemptions to vaccination mandates, and those will likely stay in place even if districts require coronavirus inoculation. 

By Naaz Modan • July 10, 2020

Study: More than half of students lost 39% of year's learning over summer

An examination of 200 million test scores for 18 million students in grades 1-6 over five summers also highlights the role of socioeconomic factors.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 10, 2020

Trump threatens to withhold funds if schools don't reopen

Congress and state leaders counter that the president lacks the legal authority to withhold funding for federal education programs or force a reopening.

By Roger Riddell • July 9, 2020

Will coronavirus prevention have positive long-term impact on classroom design?

Students will be greeted by a variety of safety measures when they return to buildings — some of which can later be repurposed for more flexible spaces.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 9, 2020

Structure in curriculum builds lifelong skills

Experts say young learners in particular benefit from having routines built into learning, but the benefits of unstructured learning must also be balanced.

By Lauren Barack • July 8, 2020

Coronavirus puts information literacy in curriculum spotlight

Social media and smart phones have exponentially expanded access to and spread of information, making it more crucial that students learn to vet sources.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 8, 2020

Amid coronavirus, educators learn to differentiate, add choice with tech

A variety of online tools helped educators expand their approaches to lessons during shutdowns — and they plan to keep them in their toolkits.

By Lauren Barack • July 8, 2020

Contradicting health guidance, White House pressures schools to reopen

National school leaders say the administration is ignoring thoughts on reopening and lacks details on how districts could cover extra expenses.

By Naaz Modan • July 8, 2020

Pitting mental health against safety, national leaders point to SEL in school reopening debate

Schools' ability to provide mental health support is taking center stage as some say it's not immediately feasible, while others say there's a middle ground. 

By Naaz Modan • July 8, 2020

Free, open digital resource in U.S. history improves access, promotes viewpoint diversity

No matter where students physically meet, today's history and civics classroom is tomorrow's America. 

By David Bobb, Ph.D., President of the Bill of Rights Institute • July 8, 2020

Survey: Students relatively positive on distance learning, but obstacles remain

A YouthTruth survey of 20,000 students finds Black and Latinx students report more obstacles to learning, and female and nonbinary students experience more mental health struggles.

By Roger Riddell • July 7, 2020

Students may need extra social-emotional support when they return to the classroom

Experts say a variety of factors could create anxiety in classrooms, and the transition back may be particularly jarring for students with special needs.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 7, 2020

Shrinking budgets complicate challenges amid influx of new ed tech

The mass adoption of distance learning technology, coupled with the pandemic's budgetary consequences, necessitates prioritization.

By Roger Riddell • July 6, 2020

'Notable' June job gains don't include public education employment

An increase of 70,000 local public education jobs was partially offset by 25,000 job losses in state government education. Private ed gained 93,000 jobs.

By Naaz Modan • July 6, 2020