Guidance issued for Ohio schools during closure
On Tuesday, the Ohio Department of Education issued guidance intended to clarify a myriad of issues being experienced by schools across the state during the unprecedented three week—or more—mandatory closure.
Guidance, resources, and support for charter schools
NAPCS rolled out a webpage full of information, resources, and best practices specifically for charter schools seeking to support their students during closure in both educational progress and in their social-emotional health.
The view from Columbus
In the earliest days of the closure, reporters in Columbus visited local school buildings where staffers were handing out grab-and-go breakfast and lunch to families, and noted that different schools were approaching at-home learning differently. One parent noted that while the district was not requiring any work be done at home—but was providing a lot of free online resources for parents and students to use—her other child attending a local charter school was given a 100-page packet of at-home work to do.
The view from Cleveland
A similar scene unfolded in Cleveland at the same time. The parent of a local charter school student showed off a huge packet of at-home work her child received. But, illustrating the difficult times ahead, the Plain Dealer returned to that same parent in another story. She further noted that she—at that point—had no idea how or when that packet would be graded. Understandably, everyone is confused and anxious on all sides of the issue.
The view from NYC
Success Academy leader Eva Moskowitz held a webinar on Tuesday to tell her families—and the world—how her schools would handle caring for students educationally and beyond during their closure. Her message: “keep it simple”. As summarized by webinar attendee Robert Pondiscio of the Fordham Institute, Moskowitz wants her team to “ensure kids remain attached and engaged and to keep them from losing ground until the world starts spinning again.”
