Dive Brief:

• Schools continue to tweak their remote learning strategies, but some common solutions are emerging, according to a study from Bellwether Education Partners and Teach For America examining lessons learned by 12 district and charter schools that could allow for sustained and improving learning during school closures.
• In its analyses, the study found there is no one “right” way to perform distance teaching, but the remote learning processes of many districts and charters are similar to in-class instruction. They also found more of a focus on health and safety than academics in the spring, and while schools also made more efforts to connect with families and students, serving those with disabilities was a challenge across the board.
• Among the areas where best practices were identified are providing support and adjustments, innovative instructional approaches; providing for special needs students; big-picture planning and establishment of core principles; the design of data-intensive approaches; focusing on social-emotional learning; creating supportive school-student connections; and building relationships with families and communities.

Dive Insight:

As education leaders grapple with distance learning and reopening schools safely, common best practices are becoming part of the strategy. Maintaining connections and supporting students’ social-emotional needs is a top priority for many administrators, including Richard Gordon, principal at Paul Robeson High School in Philadelphia.