Back to school: 4 IT considerations to help reopen schools safely

At some point, schools will hold face-to-face classes again. When they do, school districts need to prepare for a radically “new normal.”

June 8, 2020

Daily Roundup: Other news from around K-12

The number of students with disabilities grew by about 700,000 over the past decade. Educonomics Lab tool helps districts calculate learning loss needs.

By Roger Riddell • Updated June 28, 2022

Hoping to stave learning loss, some districts allow students to retain devices over summer

Students having devices in hand when school begins in the fall will also make it easier to begin remotely if necessary.

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 1, 2020

Survey: Lower-income students struggling with remote learning

Lower-income parents are 10 times more likely to say their child is doing little or no remote learning, with 13% reporting they lack devices or home internet.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 29, 2020

Amended Verizon deal expands broadband access in California districts

The move follows Verizon's April commitment to a discounted rate on internet connectivity for up to 250,000 underserved students in the state.

By Roger Riddell • May 28, 2020

Districts seek distance ed ELL improvement ahead of fall

English learners lost instruction time due to the pandemic, and recent U.S. Department of Education guidance has reiterated schools must continue support during closures.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 26, 2020

Homework gap a growing focus for nonprofits, lawmakers as closures persist

Digital equity gaps were mostly closed in schools pre-pandemic, but the shift to distance learning highlights the extent to which students lack home access.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 22, 2020

New toolkits aim to increase STEM diversity

The initiative from nonprofit The Plenary, Co. includes career resources and other classroom materials, featuring scientists across a variety of career stages.

By Lauren Barack • May 20, 2020

Lessons in Leadership: A New York district’s coronavirus response and road forward

Superintendent Shari Camhi says while Baldwin Union Free School District was able to transition to remote learning fairly smoothly, reopening and coping with the economic crisis present challenges.

By Roger Riddell • May 20, 2020

Many districts still lack consistent plans months into closures

While districts like Miami-Dade County Public Schools are outliers in preparedness, many are stifled by lack of resources, socioeconomics, geography and other factors.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 15, 2020

Informal outlets will power remote summer learning opportunities

Videoconferencing and social media remain critical tools to stem learning loss as the pandemic disrupts education opportunities over the break.

By Lauren Barack • May 13, 2020

As pandemic makes tech indispensable, its role still varies

According to the SAMR model, educators should still view tech with the perspective of its best use for each lesson, rather than a panacea.

By Lauren Barack • May 13, 2020

Student internet access concerns rise as discounted hotspot programs end

While some companies reportedly plan to continue $10-a-month programs beyond pandemic closures, hardware remains backordered in some cases.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 7, 2020

Curricular Counsel: 4 directors of instruction share advice for navigating pandemic shifts

Upending existing learning models to cope with the coronavirus is anything but a seamless process, not to mention a task that had to happen almost overnight in some cases.

By Roger Riddell • May 6, 2020

Pandemic shifts highlight importance of supporting differentiated learning options

Recognizing how students learn best and allowing choice in how they show what they've learned may better support their individual needs, experts say.

By Lauren Barack • May 6, 2020

Virginia city outfits school buses with Wi-Fi for remote students

Hopewell City Public Schools will retrofit 31 buses with wireless routers to bridge the digital divide for roughly 1,000 students without home internet.

By Cailin Crowe • May 5, 2020

Ed Dept announces $307.5M in grants to reimagine ed models

The funds, announced Monday, are aimed at building "adaptable, innovative learning opportunities" in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

By Shawna De La Rosa • April 28, 2020

3 cybersecurity tips crucial to secure student information in remote learning

The rush to transition online as the coronavirus pandemic closed schools leaves users and networks vulnerable to threats both familiar and new. District tech experts share advice for mitigating risks.

By Roger Riddell • April 24, 2020

Efforts to maintain sense of community in virtual classrooms strengthen SEL

A former teacher turned well-being specialist says building time for students to collaborate sustains a sense of normalcy and boosts learning.

By Lauren Barack • April 22, 2020

Student-run IT help desks provide remote support during school closures

One 17-student program at a Florida middle school has led to a decrease in help tickets over time as educators and students adjust to remote learning.

By Naaz Modan • April 22, 2020

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative announces $5M to support PD, remote learning during pandemic

The eight grants will strengthen the soaring need for greater student broadband access and professional development around online learning.

By Shawna De La Rosa • April 21, 2020

3 ways professional development is addressing the 'sharp learning curve' of teaching online

The push to go remote due to the coronavirus pandemic can be overwhelming, but revamped PD approaches are making the switch more manageable.

By Naaz Modan • April 16, 2020

Assigning and assessing students' challenges amid broader pandemic pressures

Uneven access to tech, pressures on parents and basic essentials require consideration of students' home lives alongside academics.

By Lauren Barack • April 15, 2020

Like evolution before it, climate change requires careful treading in curriculum

A wealth of resources are available to help educators apply scientific framing and show students how climate change may be impacting their lives and communities, regardless of politics.

By Lauren Barack • April 15, 2020

4 strategies to keep tech support rolling through COVID-19 shutdowns

Hotlines, drop-off device repair centers and remote troubleshooting are among solutions offered during the pandemic-induced transition to online learning. 

By Naaz Modan • April 15, 2020