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Sept. 17, 2020

ALAS UPDATES

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SCHOOL LEADERS NEWS

Districts' approaches to accommodating high-risk educators a mixed bag Education DIVE The decision to return to work is a challenging one for many teachers. Those over 65 make up 18% of the educator workforce in the U.S., while 27% of principals are over the age of 65. Earlier this year, the American Enterprise Institute, a right-leaning think tank, recommended schools offer early retirement incentives or create online teaching roles for educators and principals who need to stay home due to underlying health concerns as the coronavirus pandemic persists. READ MORE

SPONSORED VIDEO Now, Coding is Elementary BootUp is dedicated to empowering elementary teachers and students by establishing computer science programs in districts across the United States. Elementary students are inspired through creative and interactive lessons that allow them to explore personal interests at an age when they are just beginning to formulate ideas about their futures. WATCH VIDEO

MULTIBRIEFS EXCLUSIVE Hiring tips for modern schools — even in a pandemic By Brian Stack With the uncertainty of the pandemic, it is apparent that schools will find themselves on a perpetual hiring cycle to keep positions in classrooms and other programs filled, including both regular and substitute positions. What should a principal look for in a new hire? What should new hires expect from a school in this "new normal?" Here are some questions a school leader should consider when making hiring decisions for their school. READ MORE

Educators say distance learning failed most English learners last spring. Here's 10 ways to more effectively serve ELs as schools reopen for virtual and blended learning The 74 American schools' responses to COVID-19's sudden interruption to public education varied considerably across the nation as students went from daily classroom learning to stay-at-home orders nearly overnight. Now, a new survey reveals the limits of that patchwork response to the emergency — and indicates key lessons for schools' reopening this fall. READ MORE

Planning the Return to School: 7 Questions School Boards Must Ask Is your school board ready for this fall’s unprecedented challenges? This guide reveals the critical questions boards need to ask. MORE INFO

How tech supports students' emotional well-being during school shutdowns eSchool News Schools around the world are in uncharted waters right now as they strive to balance shutdowns and social distancing regulations with the need for educational continuity as schools begin reopening. Most have turned to remote learning as a viable alternative during this disruptive moment in time, knowing that with good technology, teacher support, and parental buy-in, we can make it through anything. READ MORE

TECHNOLOGY

For many students, online learning may not have improved much eSchool News As the start of school inches ever closer — and is already underway in some places — many teachers have yet to be trained how to be more adept with online learning. School district leaders spent so much time over the summer trying to create reopening plans that would meet safety guidelines for classes inside school buildings that they had little time to focus on improving online academic offerings. And millions of students nationwide still lack devices and Internet access. READ MORE

3 steps to optimize your IT infrastructure for remote learning EdTech Magazine As early as March 2020 — and virtually overnight — IT managers and tech professionals in school districts across the country were faced with the daunting prospect of supporting millions of K–12 students through online platforms in the wake of COVID-19. Today, many institutions are also proposing hybrid teaching environments: a combination of online and in-class scenarios that involve staggered student attendance schedules to better accommodate social distancing in school buildings. READ MORE

Most voters see digital divide as problem, want federal funds to expand access Education DIVE According to new poll from the Internet Innovation Alliance and Morning Consult, 95% of U.S. voters view the lack of home broadband internet access that impedes remote learning for an estimated 12 to 15 million students, based on separate estimates by the Senate Joint Economic Committee and Common Sense Media, as a problem that needs to be addressed. READ MORE

Remote learning presents unique — And similar — Challenges for English learners WRIC-TV Online learning poses several challenges for students and families, especially those who are not fluent in English. While local school districts have released plans that provide support and resources for their English Learners during remote learning, some acknowledge that in-person learning "typically delivers the best possible environment" for ELs. READ MORE

4 tips for supporting parents during remote learning EdTech Magazine The coronavirus pandemic catapulted educators, students and their families into a new reality when schools shut down in the spring. Now, with many districts resuming remote learning, parents and guardians are playing a more hands-on role in their children's education. But guiding kids through online learning while juggling work and other priorities is tough, especially for those who have younger children or children with special needs. "I'm just overwhelmed," a working parent of two Fairfax County Public Schools students tells The New York Times. "I am flying blind, I am uncertain, and I have a lot of anxiety." READ MORE

POLICY CORNER

ED: Interim final rule to calculate CARES Act is no longer in effect District Administration Magazine The U.S. Education Department posted a statement on its Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund webpage saying that the interim final rule requiring states to allocate the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Pub. L. No. 116-136, is no longer in effect. ED's statement was made public a few days after the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People v. DeVos, 120 LRP 26741 (D.D.C. 09/04/20), in which Judge Dabney Friedrich of the U.S. District Court, District of Columbia ruled ED exceeded its authority when it released the IFR. READ MORE

Student assessment during COVID-19 Center for American Progress Schools face enormous challenges regarding how to operate efficiently and safely for the 2020-2021 school year. As part of that response, some state leaders are asking the U.S. Department of Education to waive the annual federal testing and accountability requirements for 2021, which are key to understanding and addressing gaps in education among students. This call follows the mass request and granting of waivers of the federal annual standardized test requirements in the spring of 2020, when schools physically closed, and tests could not be administered. READ MORE

EDUCATION HEADLINES

English language learners may get less help next year due to staff cuts Times Union English language learners are just one group of students among many who will suffer from large-scale layoffs faced by Albany school district employees. Liz Otero teaches English to middle schoolers whose first language is not English at the Albany International Center, a center that is at risk of closing because the district needs to fill a budget gap of between $18.8 million and $25.6 million for the upcoming school year. READ MORE

Children don't all learn the same way, or on the same timetable. So why should our education system be one-size-fits-all? The 74 Prior to COVID-19, education in America was absolutely equal for every child. Are you done laughing yet? Good. Now let's get serious. Prior to COVID-19, education in America was absolutely not equal for every child. Whether you are comparing state to state, city to city, district to district, school to school, or even classes within schools. As COVID-19 wreaked its havoc across the country, Americans were forced to admit that some schools were better prepared, some teachers went the extra mile and, yes, some parents had the resources to either stay home and help their children with remote learning or hire someone who would do it for them. READ MORE

CAREERS

New Postings Every Week on ALAS Website! ALAS 09/16/20 — Assistant Superintendent, Wissahickon School District, Ambler, PA 09/16/20 — Chief of Communications, Lancaster Independent School District, Lancaster, TX 09/16/20 — Superintendent, Bend-La Pine Schools, Bend, OR 09/16/20 — Superintendent of Schools, Verona Area School District, Verona, WI 09/14/20 — Assistant Superintendent, Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax, VA 09/09/20 — Bilingual Consulting Partner, English Learner Academics, TNTP, Southwest, TX 09/09/20 — Elementary Principal, Lower Gwynedd Elementary School, Ambler, PA 09/09/20 — Leadership Coach, TNTP, Southwest, TX 09/08/20 — Superintendent, Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District, Oyster Bay, NY 08/31/20 — Director of Human Resources, Plainfield Public Schools, Plainfield, NJ 08/31/20 — Principal, Plainfield Public Schools, Plainfield, NJ 08/20/20 — Curriculum Writers, Public Consulting Group, Inc., Boston, MA 08/20/20 — Principal – Carlin Springs Elementary School, Arlington Public Schools, Arlington, VA 08/17/20 — Executive Director of Human Resources, Santa Paula Unified School District, Santa Paula, CA 08/14/20 — Partner, Southeast, The New Teacher Project (TNTP), Southeast Region (USA and Puerto Rico) 08/13/20 — Director, Academics- Southwest and Southeast Regions, The New Teacher Project (TNTP), Multi-Regional (LA, TN, FL) 08/11/20 — Assistant Principal, South Monterey County Joint Union High School District, King City, CA 08/07/20 — Executive Director of Literacy, K-12, Fort Worth Independent School District, Fort Worth, TX 08/07/20 — Executive Director of Mathematics & Science, K-12, Fort Worth Independent School District, Fort Worth, TX VISIT ALAS WEBSITE FOR MORE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES & INFORMATION!!

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