Resources
The following list of resources is not definitive or exhaustive, but this collection of resources can help get you started in your planning. Some resources are general, while others address specific considerations noted in the table.
| Resource | Description | Considerations Addressed |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Equity Considerations for Schools and Districts | Brief outlining seven equity considerations for districts implementing distance learning, including examples of how some districts have addressed them. Developed by the nonprofit Southern Education Foundation, whose goal is to advance equitable policies and practices that elevate learning for low-income students and students of color in the Southern states. | Internet connectivity |
| A Blueprint for Back to School | Framework for reopening schools based on six areas: school operations, whole child supports, school personnel, academics, distance learning, and other general considerations. Developed by the American Enterprise Institute, a public policy think tank. | General |
| Always Ready for Learning | Resource for district leaders based on diagnostic school-system information, rapid planning, and individualized coaching. Developed by expert organizations, including The Learning Accelerator, The Learning Innovation Catalyst, Highlander Institute, International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), InnovateEDU, catalyst:ed, 2Revolutions, KnowledgeWorks, PowerMyLearning, Transcend, and Afton. | General |
| ACSDE Webinars and Professional Learning | List of webinars, trainings, and professional learning for distance education, some of which are focused on PreK–12 education. From the American Center for the Study of Distance Education, based at Penn State, which aims to facilitate collaboration among individuals and institutions in the U.S. and overseas. | Professional learning |
| Blended Learning Models | Comprehensive resource hub dedicated to all things blended learning, including information on seven models, how to get started, and research to support this type of learning. Developed by Blended Learning Universe, which is part of the Clayton Christensen Institute. | Blended instructional models |
| CAST | Comprehensive website for Universal Design for Learning, including research, professional learning, and resources. Developed by CAST, a nonprofit education research and development organization that work to expand learning opportunities for all individuals. | Accessibility |
| Designing a High-Quality Online Course | Comprehensive resource identifying how to best design online courses, including principles of effective online instruction, content presentation, and professional learning. Developed by the California Department of Education. | Course quality |
| DigitalBridgeK–12 | Details on the internet download speeds needed to provide different models of distance learning and a Homework Gap Toolkit for assessing and managing the connectivity needs of students to help keep them learning during COVID-19. Developed by the nonprofit EducationSuperhighway. | Internet connectivity |
| Digital Resources for EL Students | Curated list of digital resources to support English learner students during school closures. From New America’s English Learner team. | English learners |
| Distance Learning | Curated list of digital resources (and some printable resources for those without online access) for administrators and educators in PreK–12 settings. Includes resources for parent support, mental health support, and more. Developed by the San Diego County Office of Education. | General |
| Distance Learning Solutions | Curated list includes non-U.S. resources available in languages other than English, which could spark ideas for American schools. Gives tools that can enable materials to be used offline, which could be helpful in low-resourced communities that do not have stable or high-speed internet. Developed by UNESCO. | General |
| English Learners Resource Hub | Robust collection of research, policy recommendations, and helpful ways to support English learners, a growing student population. From New America’s English Learner team. | English learners |
| Essential Questions for 2020–2021 Reopening: A Planning Workbook for Education Leaders | Planning document with three scenarios for PreK–12 schools reopening in the 2020–21 school year. The spreadsheet can be used digitally or in print to help guide key conversations about next school year. Developed by Bellwether Education, a nonprofit policy and research consultancy. | General |
| Guidelines on Distance Education during COVID-19 | Guiding document on distance education across educational contexts developed by the Commonwealth of Learning, an intergovernmental organization in British Columbia, Canada. | General |
| Key Terms Regarding Online Learning and Education Technology: A Resource for Educators and Parents During the COVID-19 Disruption | Glossary of the most commonly used terms in online learning and implications for students with disabilities, designed to avoid educational jargon. Developed by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of every child and adult with learning and attention issues. | Students with disabilities |
| Learning Keeps Going | Comprehensive site with ed tech tools, strategies for online learning, professional learning resources, and a help desk to field questions. Developed by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), in partnership with EdSurge, State Ed Tech Directors Association (SETDA), Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), and Education Week. | General |
| Making Connections: PreK–12 OER In Practice | Comprehensive website for PreK–12 open educational resources (OER), including historical information, a map of schools, curated list of resources to get started, and a curated list of professional learning resources. Developed by the Teaching, Learning & Tech team at New America. | OER |
| Moving Education Online | Curated site of resources to support students, teachers, and leaders in PreK–12 schools, and parents moving to distance learning. Developed by Athabasca University, the global leader in distance education. | General |
| National Standards for Quality Online Learning Standards | Three sets of standards for online teaching, online programs, and online courses, an evolution of standards first developed by iNACOL, the International Association for K–12 Online Learning, (now known as the Aurora Institute). | Course quality |
| Navigating the Moment | Document highlighting three bright spots and one focus spot as schools respond to crisis distance learning. Bright spot #3 addresses how several schools have transitioned staff. Published by nonprofit Education Resource Strategies. | Strategic staffing |
| Pandemic-Response Webinars Offer New Pointers on Early Ed and Tech | Summary of webinars on the topic of early learners and technology with helpful resource for parents and caregivers, as well as educators of young learners. From New America’s Early & Elementary Education and Teaching, Learning & Tech teams. | Parent and caregiver involvement |
| PreK–12 Resources for Educators | Curated list of digital instructional materials, sortable by grade levels (K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12) and by topic (literacy, STEM, etc.) that can support blended or distance learning. Developed by Penn State College of Education. | Content and materials |
| Protecting Student Privacy: Data Security: K–12 and Higher Education | Site dedicated to guidance, policy considerations, checklists, and more to ensure student data privacy meets federal requirements. Developed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Privacy Technical Assistance Center and the Student Privacy Policy Office. | Data privacy and security |
| Quality Matters | Website for nonprofit organization created to help ensure the quality of online courses (both higher ed and K–12) through professional learning, rubrics, and communities. | Course quality |
| Remote Learning Recommendations During COVID-19 Emergency | Information and clarification for districts, schools, leaders, teachers, students, and parents as they plan and implement crisis distance learning in response to COVID-19. The suggested instructional time chart on page 17 is useful in planning online learning experiences. Created by the Illinois State Board of Education. | Instructional time |
| Report on Classifying K–12 Blended Learning | Report (published May 2012) on models of blended learning providing definitions, structures, and more. From the Innosight Institute (now known as the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation). | Blended learning models |
| Resources for Remote Learning | Curated list of remote learning resources categorized by audience: students and families, educators, and school and system leaders. From partners of the social change organization Emerson Collective. | General |
| Resources on Key Topics and Tough Issues | List of policy briefs and resources supporting K–12 competency-based education, personalized learning, blended and online learning, policy needs, and more. Developed by the Aurora Institute (formerly called iNACOL, the International Association for K–12 Online Learning). | General |
| Return to School Roadmap | Roadmap of actions in seven areas for school leaders for planning and implementing a safe return to school. A project of Opportunity Labs LLC, a consultancy for nonprofits and startups. | General |
| School Resource Hub | Comprehensive resource for school leaders to support distance learning, including documents that explain various policy considerations, provide platform and tool information, and offer instructional materials. Developed by Instruction Partners, a consultancy for improving schools and teachers’ practice. | General |
| Supporting Student Success Through Time & Technology | Step-by-step guidance on moving to blended learning with examples from schools and districts that have done so. Report published in 2014 by the National Center on Time and Learning. | Blended learning models |
| Tap, Click, Read: Growing Readers in a World of Screens | Website that explores “tech-assisted, human-powered” approaches for developing and prioritizing social interaction, conversation, and language development. Includes one-pagers and PDFs about apps, e-books, and other technologies for educators and families; focused on children’s learning from birth through age 8. From the Jossey-Bass book of the same name co-authored by New America’s Lisa Guernsey with Michael H. Levine. | Prioritizing human relationships |
| Teacher2Teacher | Website designed to build an educator community with peer-to-peer resource sharing, professional learning opportunities, and social media engagement. Developed by the Gates Foundation. | General |
| Tools and Technology | Site provides lists of tools and technology for students with disabilities. Developed by an alliance of non-partisan groups committed to the success of students with disabilities. | Students with disabilities |
| Wide Open School | Searchable and interactive library of resources designed to support educators and families during COVID closures, with sections grouped by grade level (PreK–5 or 6–12). Produced by Common Sense Media in collaboration with more than a dozen partners, including PBS, Khan Academy, and the National Head Start Association. | Content and materials |