Planning for Extended Learning
During his Feb. 9, 2021, press conference, Governor DeWine asked schools and districts to work with their communities to help students advance and make up for any learning that may have been lost or delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. He requested that schools and districts design plans to meet the needs of students that could include, but are not limited to, ending the school year later than scheduled, beginning the new year early or extending the school day. Summer programs, tutoring or remote options also could be considered. The governor asked schools and districts to provide their plans to the public and General Assembly no later than April 1.
The following frequently asked questions (FAQ) provide additional information about the governor’s request. The Ohio Department of Education plans to update these FAQs with additional information next week—and periodically thereafter—to provide more information and clarification, including information on when and how to submit plans.
1. Is the plan mandatory?
The governor made his statement in the form of a request. He believes it is beneficial for schools and districts to give deliberate and public attention to addressing students who have been impacted by disruptions caused by the pandemic. Currently, it is simply a request. However, it is likely this requirement will appear in upcoming proposed legislation.
2. To whom is the governor’s request directed?
The governor’s request is specifically directed to traditional public school districts, community schools, career-technical education centers and STEM schools. Other schools, such as nonpublic entities, certainly are welcome to engage in similar planning work and publicly share the plans if they so choose.
3. What should a plan include?
The Department is developing an optional template for these plans that schools and districts can use. However, using the template is not a requirement. Key components of the template will include:
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Impacted Students: How will schools and districts identify which students have been most impacted by the pandemic in terms of their learning progress (with a focus on the most vulnerable student populations)?
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Needs: How will schools and districts identify the needs of those students?
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Resources and Budget: What resources are available to address those needs? Generally, what is the budget for the plan?
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Approaches: What approaches can best be deployed to address those needs? (This may include approaches such as ending the school year later than scheduled, beginning the new year early, extending the school day, summer programs, tutoring and remote options.)
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Partnerships: Which local and regional partners (such as educational service centers, Information Technology Centers, libraries, museums, after-school programs or civic organizations) can schools and districts engage in supporting student needs?
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Alignment: How can this plan reinforce and align to other district or school plans, including plans for Student Wellness and Success Funds, improvement plans or graduation plans?
4. Is this a statewide plan or can each district prepare a plan appropriate to its circumstances?
This is not a one-size-fits-all exercise. Each district or school should consider its unique needs and issues and prepare its plan in a way that responds appropriately and leverages the assets of its unique partners. Some schools and districts may choose to have similar plans to facilitate effective implementation. Educational service centers may provide coordination for such collaborative approaches.
5. What resources are available?
The federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds are an ideal choice for funding these plans. Since these funds are intended to be one time in nature, using these funds for short-term activities is appropriate. There also is a likelihood that additional temporary federal funds may be forthcoming in legislation currently being debated in Congress.
6. How do districts submit their plans?
The Department plans to update these FAQs with additional information next week—and periodically thereafter—to provide more information and clarification, including information on when and how to submit plans.
As always, questions or comments are welcome. Please send any concerns, comments or questions to ExtendedLearning@education.ohio.gov.
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