Schooling throughout COVID-19 — and COVID’s lingering influence on studying post-pandemic — will probably be researched and studied for years to return.  One such examine was performed lately by Subsequent Technology Studying Challenges, which surveyed 70 faculties and districts in 2020 and 2021 who, regardless of real challenges, had been having some successes.  The important thing query was: how and why had been these faculties and districts succeeding regardless of distance studying points and different pandemic obstacles?  That is mirrored within the remaining report’s title, “What Made Them So Ready?”

The total report was launched at this time and it is an interesting examine.  From NGLC’s press launch, I will quote three large themes that emerged from their findings:

  • The common sense assertion: To assist college students develop into succesful, caring, self-directed learners and artistic problem-solvers, our faculties ought to mannequin those self same attributes for them – of their design of studying, but in addition in our grownup working tradition and working habits. 
  • The analysis discovering: Colleges and districts that had made this dedication pre-COVID strongly benefited from it through the pandemic, enabling our communities (together with college students) to reply adaptively and creatively. Agentic studying and working approaches, efforts to create a wholesome tradition supported by sturdy relationships, and resilient, versatile methods made districts really feel ready to face the pandemic’s many challenges.
  • The worth to ALL faculties and districts: Ed leaders in search of optimistic methods to maneuver previous Omicron and rebuild ahead momentum can use this challenge’s findings and assets to construct on their very own faculty or district’s examples of resilient, adaptive innovation through the pandemic. This analysis presents a productive means ahead at a time of pressing want.

One in every of these 70 faculties and districts that NGLC picked to interview was Shelby County Public Colleges, and we’re highlighted of their report!  SCPS is talked about briefly on web page 9 (PDF web page 5) as one in all a number of districts which have a Profile of a Graduate, however extra prominently, we’re featured on web page 7 (PDF web page 4) for our two “Shelby Speaks” vodcast sequence that we uploaded to our YouTube channel in Might 2020 and January 2021.  I used to be proud to co-create and facilitate these interviews with our unbelievable SCPS educators from many various position teams — normal training, ECE, English Language, librarians and extra — who shared their reflections on ideas, tips, methods, successes and challenges of distance and hybrid studying.  (For extra on these vodcasts, please learn my weblog entries right here and right here.)

We’re grateful to NGLC for the prospect to contribute to such a historic challenge, and I encourage you to learn their full report.