Some youngsters with developmental delays were getting more effective help with online therapy when in-person services were no longer available. Meanwhile, many older students found remote learning as a way to thrive.
As the return to “normal” feels a little bit closer with the increased availability of vaccines, the new normal is likely to include key solutions schools have developed after a full year of pandemic-era learning, some of which may change education for good.
The Dallas Morning News’ Education Lab, in partnership with newsrooms across the country, explored what innovative practices could outlast the pandemic as officials aim to help kids and teachers succeed.
Parents gained more expertise during online therapy for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities, which researchers say will help the children more in the long run, according to The Hechinger Report. The Christian Science Monitor delved into how some students are finding that the independence and flexibility of remote learning works better for them.
Schools wanting to improve teacher morale could take note of how two districts in Alabama helped stressed educators and increased effectiveness by allowing them to focus on remote or in-person learning -- not both, AL.com reported.
The Seattle Times focused on how one district used an “acceleration” practice to advance student learning at a faster rate than usual. And The Fresno Bee explored how a community organization was helping parents by teaching them how to use the digital tools schools were sending home with students.
Meanwhile, The News looked at what lessons districts could learn from iUniversity Prep, a virtual academy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD that has been thriving where other online schools have failed.
Join us for a conversation about these lessons learned on Wednesday at noon. Sign up to attend the virtual discussion here.
Panelists will include:
- Ian Kirk, a high school senior at iUniversity Prep
- Suzanne Lacey, an Alabama superintendent who tried to ease teachers’ workload
- Robin Lake, the director of the Center on Reinventing Public Education
- Nkomo Morris, a New York City learning specialist and guidance counselor
- Titilayo Tinubu Ali, the senior director of research and policy at the Southern Education Foundation
“Parents, teachers and state leaders are scrambling to find the right path forward for kids,” Education Lab editor Eva-Marie Ayala said. “By exploring these lessons learned across the country, I hope families and officials are inspired by a new solution -- or part of one -- and can use it to help more children get back on track after such a disruptive year.”
Submit questions in advance to edlab@dallasnews.com. Ayala will moderate the discussion.
The solutions-journalism series was made possible with support from the Solutions Journalism Network. Read the entire collection of stories here.
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from The Beck Group, Bobby and Lottye Lyle, The Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, The Meadows Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University and Todd A. Williams Family Foundation. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.
