Restart and Recovery

Extended school closures shined a spotlight on the persistent inequities between students—particularly those most vulnerable—experience each day. Recent racial injustices and unrest have made the experiences of students and communities of color even more salient. While this moment brings challenges, it also offers the potential to rebuild education systems and schools that actively redress racial and other inequities. Returning to business as usual is not an option.

The Considerations for Teaching & Learning project is designed to support states and school systems in addressing the critical set of challenges they will face as they plan for—and restart—teaching and learning in the 2020-2021 school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

It consists of customizable guidance and vetted resources designed to:

• Support school systems as they thoughtfully plan for a strong launch and school year in a rapidly shifting environment and prioritize equity for all learners—especially the most vulnerable; and
• Help states jump-start the process of providing teaching and learning guidance to their school systems.

State and school system leaders are faced with a host of daunting new questions to answer and decisions to be made before schools can reopen. The goal of this guidance is, therefore, to be clear and straightforward. Returning to school will be a time to focus on:

• Supporting the wellbeing, including the mental health, of students and staff and encouraging meaningful connections;
• Keeping learning coherent, focusing on the highest priorities for each grade level and content area, and moving forward apace— whether learning is occurring in person, remotely, or is a hybrid of the two;
• Meeting the needs of each student, including those most vulnerable, and recovering lost learning across remote and in-person contexts;
• Aligning teaching roles, responsibilities, and structures to the new reality of teaching and learning; and
• Designing schedules that accommodate this new reality, including new protocols consistent with public health guidance, and that prioritize vulnerable student populations, including structures for continuing learning and ensuring equity in remote environments.

The following are additional resources CCSSO created to support school and district leaders in putting the Considerations for Teaching & Learning into practice: