As local educational agencies across the country face decisions about when and how to reopen schools for in-person learning, the Learning Policy Institute has released a new report that looks at methods to rethink schools in ways that align with evidence-based policies and practices. Restarting […]
Category: Coronavirus
Ongoing digital divide concerns, possible solutions highlight Assembly hearing
A joint Assembly committee hearing on Oct. 14 offered an array of perspectives on the digital divide, which has long plagued California but is now being considered with new urgency due to the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread distance learning. New Reality: Students’ Access to the […]
USDA extends critical nutrition waivers through end of school year
In a major victory for public schools and the millions of students they serve, the United States Department of Agriculture on Oct. 9 announced that it is extending flexibilities to allow free meals to continue to be available to all children throughout the entire 2020–21 […]
Updated CDC guidance provides testing protocol recommendations for schools, including shift in broad testing strategies
With COVID-19 tests becoming more widely available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated guidance Oct. 13 on what K-12 school administrators and public health officials should consider when testing students or staff. “Interim Considerations for Testing for K-12 School Administrators and Public […]
CDE updates arts education guidance for 2020–21
The California Department of Education recently updated its Arts Education Guidance for the 2020–21 school year to supplement California Department of Public Health regulations with details around how to safely provide arts education when schools reopen. The document provides suggestions that may assist arts programs in […]
Report examines how well schools served English learners during spring closures
Californians Together released a report in September examining the quality of instruction provided to English learners in the state’s schools during the spring when schools were suddenly shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization reviewed 79 school districts’ COVID-19 Operation Written Reports to help […]
Guest view: Getting back to school, safely
By Emma Tudor Getting students back on campus is a priority for all schools this fall. Not only for high-need students who require extra support for their well-being, but for all students who are missing that crucial in-person interaction with their peers and teachers. While […]
Nationally representative survey finds low teacher morale, concerns about student progress and increasing support for in-person instruction
As the 2020–21 school year begins, a new survey from EdWeek Research Center found that both teacher morale and school enrollment are hitting new lows, while concerns about student academic progress is high. The nationally representative survey, conducted online from Aug. 26–28, was taken by […]
National health officials attempt to re-establish trust in COVID-19 vaccine and treatments
Four national health experts testifying before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions last week sought to convince legislators, as well as the public, that when a vaccine or a treatment for COVID-19 is released, it can be trusted. “In the end, […]
CDC releases new school guidance for reopening decisions; reverts asymptomatic testing guidance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance on Sept. 15 to aid local educational agencies in school reopening decisions. Though the guidance comes well after the start of the school year for many LEAs, it provides suggested reopening criteria for states that […]










