[EdNews Round Up Update] COVID-19 and Education Impacts VIII

No one knows better than educators about the importance of staying up-to-date. The spread of COVID-19, or coronavirus, has had major impacts across the U.S., including the closure of most schools and districts nationwide. We stand with you, focused on building school around the student, especially during times where access to quality instruction is restricted. We continue to actively monitor the situation and have a dedicated team in place to help us better respond to the needs of educators and students however we can. In these situations, online learning is more relevant and important than ever, and we want to help so that you can continue to feel supported as you meet your learners' academic needs.

In this week’s edition of Edmentum’s EdNews Round Up, you’ll find the latest news we have gathered pertaining to COVID-19 and the impact on U.S. education. Of course, you can find the latest updates and data on COVID-19 on the Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization websites as well as helpful resources. 

Map: Coronavirus and School Closures
EdWeek
The coronavirus pandemic has forced widespread school closures in the United States in an unprecedented disruption of K-12 schooling. Use the map below to see state-level information about school closures.

How will schools reopen safely in fall 2020?
District Administration
Districts might have to hire more teachers to avoid reducing instruction time in the fall.

How Districts Are Helping Teachers Get Better at Tech Under Coronavirus
EdWeek
Educators are struggling to learn how to use new tech tools—devices, apps, software, and online textbooks—in greater volume than ever before.

Federal officials urge wealthy colleges to reject coronavirus aid — some are
Education Dive
Harvard, Stanford and Princeton universities won't accept millions of dollars in coronavirus aid amid calls from federal officials for wealthy institutions to turn down the money.

How Cellphones Can Keep People Learning Around The World
NPR
In places like Uganda, and increasingly in the U.S., educators are trying text messages as a more accessible distance learning alternative.

How Teachers Are Integrating COVID-19 Crisis Into Their Lessons
NEA Today
Many NEA members are integrating the pandemic into their lesson plans—using students’ natural curiosity about what’s happening in the world around them to deepen their understanding of critical, timely concepts in science, history, journalism, and more.

Helpful Online Resources for Teaching ELLs
Edutopia
Whether you’re having school remotely or in person, online learning is a powerful tool teachers can leverage to support English language learners (ELLs). There are many free or inexpensive digital resources that teachers can use to create these learning experiences.

How Closed Schools Are Creating More Trauma For Students
MindShift
School counselors say the coronavirus pandemic has so destabilized kids' lives that the result is genuinely traumatic. And closed schools make it harder for counselors to help.

3 ways college career services offices can help students right now
Education Dive
As staff adapt to working virtually, they're also charged with easing students' entry into a job market abruptly stalled by the pandemic.

Cal State Fullerton Announces Plans For A Virtual Fall. Will Other Colleges Follow?
NPR
Colleges are grappling with how long the coronavirus disruptions will last and what the fall semester will look like. The big question: With so many changes, will students still enroll?

Edmentum Cares

If you are concerned about your students being able to access quality instruction and resources for an extended period of time, we are committed to helping you by providing free access to high quality curriculum, assessment, and educational services through the remainder of the school year. The Edmentum Capacity Assistance Program (E-CAP) helps ensure that teachers can continue teaching and students can continue learning during school closures. Together, we’ll work with you to tailor an implementation plan that establishes the best learning environment for your school or district and sets your teachers up for success in virtual instruction. 

We have also developed a number of free K-12 e-learning resources that are available to you, designed to help as you plan, and in the unfortunate event that your school or district closes. These resources include math, language arts, science, reading and literacy activities from a variety of our online programs, video lessons, access to program specific resources, school closure best practices, live and on demand webinars, and more.