This has been a difficult and stressful time for schools, districts, education systems worldwide, and families. With widespread school closures, educators and district leaders are working non-stop to ensure all students have access to learning opportunities and other services that schools provide, like free lunch--all while taking steps to stop the spread of COVID-19.
To support your efforts, we have put together a set of FAQs to assist schools and districts with their most pressing needs--such as transitioning to online instruction, providing Free and Reduced Lunches, supporting students' social emotional needs, engaging families, and addressing equity concerns for students with limited access to technology, students with disabilities, and English learners. These FAQs share ideas from districts across the country, as well as resources from local and state education agencies.
Please stay safe and let us know if you have any research or resource needs during these uncertain times.
FAQs: State and District Response to COVID-19 Outbreak
- How can districts support families' access to technology during school closures? (228 KB)
- How are districts providing meals for students who typically qualify for Free and Reduced Lunches (FRL)? (213 KB)
- What are some methods of providing online instructional support for students with disabilities? (180 KB)
- How can educators provide high-quality instruction to English learners (ELs) in an online environment?(293 KB)
- How can educators and families support students' mental health and social emotional needs? (151 KB)
- What are some specific practices used to support English learner (EL) students and their families? (182 KB)
- How are districts engaging parents and families to support student learning? (179 KB)
- What are some alternative approaches for postsecondary graduation ceremonies? (164 KB)
- What guidance related to COVID-19 are states in the REL Northeast & Islands region providing? (153 KB)
- How are districts communicating with families about student progress? (391 KB)
- How are districts addressing student promotion and retention? (393 KB)
- What are some examples of guidance for school reopening? (322 KB) NEW
- What are states doing to support students' work-based learning opportunities? (196 KB) NEW
- How can schools reconfigure schedules and classrooms to accommodate social distancing? (194 KB) NEW
To Contact Us
To request a research-based answer about an education topic, submit an Ask A REL request.
For other questions and comments, contact the REL Northeast & Islands.
