Beginning with the Education Dive.
The shifts of the past year are shaping new developments in online learning, classroom tech training, cybersecurity concerns and more.
There are a number of steps educators can take to help define goals as plainly as possible to fuel student success, a California superintendent writes.
Virtual sessions expand professional development’s reach and capacity, but experts warn against abandoning essential individualized supports.
School leaders continue to face crises on multiple fronts as remote and hybrid learning present challenges. These principals are rising to the occasion.
Next, EdClips.

DIGITAL DIVIDE PROGRAMS
NV – State Closes Digital Divide With Boots-on-the-Ground Effort
Nevada has conquered the digital divide by connecting all students in rural and urban communities to both internet access and devices, District Administration reports. Full connection was achieved by the state’s COVID-19 Task Force, Connecting Kids and public-private partnerships. | K-12 Dive, Jan. 8
Learn More
Broadband Access and the Digital Divides

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY
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5 Ed Tech Trends to Watch in 2021
The shifts of the past year are shaping new developments in online learning, classroom tech training, cybersecurity concerns and more. | K-12 Dive, Jan. 7 |
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Also, the EdSource Today.
Other items of interest
PACE brief suggests distance learning strategies for TK-3rd grade
The shift to distance learning in transitional kindergarten through 3rd grade has proven to be difficult. A new brief, “Improving Early Childhood Distance Education, by Benjamin Cottingham, associate director of strategic partnerships for the research organization PACE, identifies challenges experienced during distance learning and suggests promising practices and policy changes to positively affect the experience of students, parents and teachers in those grades.
Go here for the brief.
Moving on to the variety newsletters from Education Week.
Next, the different mailings from eSchool News.
Are you prepared for the Digital Classroom?
The way your district integrates high-performance Wi-Fi is just as important as the curriculum. Teachers and students rely on automatic and seamless Wi-Fi to access the full range of teaching tools that enable personalized and dynamic learning.
4 tips for blended learning success
Here’s how one school has successfully ramped up its blended learning approach in order to meet the challenges of the global pandemic, school shutdowns, and social distancing.
Also, the various newsletters from ASCD.
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Many high-school students are balancing online classes with work to help support their families during the economic downturn related to the coronavirus pandemic. Some students say they can make time for classes while earning a paycheck, while others, such as 11th-grader Carlos Martinez, says it is challenging to work full time and keep up with his studies, adding that his teachers help him catch up during his off-hours.
Full Story: The 74 (1/10)
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Online teaching and learning that has become the norm during the coronavirus pandemic should seek out ways to improve, even after many students return to in-person learning, according to a report from the nonprofit Clayton Christensen Institute. The report cites several solutions, including a state review of curriculum materials and teacher-led training and coaching.
Full Story: Education Week (1/11)
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Christine Shultz, an eighth-grade special-education teacher, says setting an end time to her workday each day helps her to be more productive and empathetic as an educator. In this interview, Shultz also discusses her path to becoming a teacher as well as her experiences teaching remotely this year.
Full Story: Chalkbeat (1/8)
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More than 36,560 families — representing nearly 55,000 students — signed up for Chicago Connected, the city’s program aimed at helping to bridge the digital divide by providing free internet access for students from low-income households. While officials recognize it has been challenging to enroll students, they anticipate reaching their goal of access for 100,000 students by the end of the school year.
Full Story: Chalkbeat/Chicago (1/12)
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There are several ways teachers can revitalize remote instruction, write Tara Lash, an instructional coach, and Sunday Cummins, a literacy consultant. In this article, they suggest asking students to create “identity webs” to share more about themselves personally and providing time for students to connect with each other, among other tips.
Full Story: MiddleWeb (1/11)
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Science, history and art content for K-12 schools are coming for free to PBS’ digital platform from the Smithsonian Institute via a partnership with PBS LearningMedia. The grab-and-use content can be sorted by grade level, subject area or Common Core and state standards.
Full Story: The Washington Post (tiered subscription model) (1/12)
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The surge in coronavirus cases nationwide prompted a spike in the number of school districts adopting remote instruction — 21.2% in November, compared with 31.7% in December — according to data from the Center on Reinventing Public Education. The findings come as President-elect Joe Biden pursues a return to in-person instruction for most K-8 schools during his first 100 days in office.
Full Story: Education Week (1/14)
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The state of Hawaii will use a $10 million federal grant to establish the Hawaii Online Portal for Education — an open-source digital resource that includes free lessons plans and other materials. Educators will begin work this summer to create the platform, which is expected to be available in 2022.
Full Story: Honolulu Civil Beat (1/14)
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A school district in Utah is believed to be the first in the US to begin installation of its own high-speed, wireless broadband network. Officials say the coronavirus pandemic and connectivity challenges during remote instruction helped to speed up the Powerplay LTE initiative.
Full Story: Deseret News (Salt Lake City) (1/14)
Traditional Edcamps — or “unconferences” — cannot take place in person this year but can shift to a virtual model, writes Michael Gaskell, a middle-school principal. In this blog post, Gaskell shares several steps his school used to adopt virtual Edcamps, including offering choices for teachers and using breakout rooms to drive engagement.
Full Story: SmartBrief/Education (1/12)
Iowa lawmakers are working on funding for statewide broadband internet as more residents log on for work, school and telehealth during the pandemic. BroadbandNow reports that at least 300,000 Iowans are without a wired broadband connection and only about 19% of the state population can connect to the internet via a low-cost plan.
Full Story: Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Iowa) (1/11)
Individual schools and teachers in Scotland will need to determine the best approach to teaching and learning. Officials say live, online lessons will not be universal but part of a “mix” of tools, which some advocates say could lead to disparities in education.
Full Story: BBC (free registration) (1/10)
The Palm Beach County school district in Florida started a Teaching With Technology Trailblazer program in 2017 and now has more Google-certified teachers — about 20% of educators at each of the district’s 180 schools — than any other system in the country, says Adam Miller, educational technology director. In this Q&A, Miller discusses the district’s investment in 11,000 SMART panel displays and other technology, plus advises school leaders to get broad input on tech goals.
Full Story: EdTech online (1/11)
Other News:
Back to the regular Google News alert for virtual school.
Memphis woman says daughter nearly missed virtual school because of missing immunization
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis mother is upset tonight after she says her daughter was going to have to miss virtual school because she didn’t have …
Local school officials explain snow days policy for virtual school
“I concur with both of these things,” said Andy True, Kingsport City Schools assistant superintendent of administration. Each virtual school day, KCS runs …
Arts Avenue: Florentine Opera premieres virtual school tour
Submit. Privacy Notice. Advertisement. Arts Avenue: Florentine Opera premieres virtual school tour. Digital lesson launches online on January 22nd.
USD 428 continues to look at virtual school
When the Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education meets Monday, board members will continue to look at the potential for developing a small virtual …
Lee virtual teachers have health concerns returning to classroom in person
Parents are concerned teachers with Lee Virtual School will be overwhelmed with bigger class sizes, and the possibility the school district will move …
Virtual schooling now a permanent option for Clarksville-Montgomery County families
“Fortunately, we were able to jumpstart our virtual school this year in the midst of the global pandemic. Based on what we have learned this year, we …
HPEDSB: Looking ahead to 2021
We’re running a virtual school right now that costs millions of dollars that we are not funded for. Yet we know we’ve got over 2,000 kid that are in it.
DPI report highlights widespread challenges with virtual learning transition
As districts look to continue or stop virtual school, the state Department of Public Instruction is showing lawmakers what challenges have come up so …
‘It worries me,’ Arkansas superintendents concerned about disengaged virtual learners
Some virtual school parents are saying they are being forced to send their kids back to school during this coronavirus pandemic as covid cases are on …
Superintendent of Tennessee’s largest school district reflects SCS highs and lows through the …
As Dr. Ray believes, “Virtual school isn’t broken — it’s not perfect — but it isn’t broken.” As a matter of fact, Dr. Ray believes that in some respects, the …
Even after COVID-19, North Texas districts expect a demand for some virtual learning options
Previous attempts to revamp Texas’ virtual school laws died in committee, but proponents are hoping they’ll have more momentum this year after the …
ACPS educators reflect on lessons learned from first half of a mostly virtual school year
ALBEMARLE CO., Va. (WVIR) – Educators across the nation were tasked with the ultimate challenge this school year: teach during a global pandemic
Small businesses share what it takes to move online
Choi bought a lightbox and between getting her daughter set up for virtual school and processing curbside pickup orders, she started snapping the …
Angela Kumar: Supporting school choice
We made the switch to virtual school when it became clear that my son Isaac needed to be more academically challenged, and that I wanted to take a …
Winter weather: Here’s a list of school closures, late starts
Gatesville ISD says Monday will be a VIRTUAL school day. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, …
Sullivan, Kingsport schools still plan return to in-person learning Jan. 19
Look for KCS buses on all regular bus routes on virtual school days and take advantage of this free opportunity,” True said. WHAT ARE SULLIVAN …
Cabell schools working toward safe return to in-person instruction
Virtual school registration is open through Monday, Jan. 11, for elementary students and Friday, Jan. 15, for middle school and high school students.
Rubin: Legislature must help Texas kids recover from pandemic
… early childhood brain development, young students who have had trouble learning to read during virtual school, or kids at risk of abuse or suicide.
Job loss thrusts Kenyan teachers to homeschooling, other sources of income
“Kidato is a virtual school and it has students from Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and the US. They just opened up to students in Kenya. My classes …
Fort Langley National Historic Site unveils new virtual school programming
Topics covered in the virtual school program include the history of the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Canadian fur trade, in addition to Fort Langley’s …
RCCDSB names virtual school in honour of first North American Indigenous saint
The Renfrew County Catholic District School Board has officially named its virtual school in honour of a well-known and venerated saint, St. Kateri …
How to Get Your Kid to Talk About Their Virtual School Day
If it seemed like kids didn’t have much to say about their school day before the pandemic hit, it shouldn’t be surprising that they’re not interested in …
In conversation with…
Virtual school heads, Jancis Andrew and Calvin Kipling tell JL Dutaut we need to unpick what we mean by “vulnerable” children. Another lockdown …
Back to (virtual) school: Tech tips for parents as remote learning returns
… tech correspondent Jess Kelly had a few simple and practical tech tips to ensure a smooth return to virtual classrooms. Back to (virtual) school: Tech …
Keep virtual school choice an option — John DP Howard
Even before the pandemic, my wife and I were considering a switch to an online school for our children. Now, COVID-19 is proving that school choice …
Virtual School is Only Option for Over 50% of US K-12 Students as 2021 Begins
That is the highest figure since late September and reflects a reversal of in-person learning gains that had occurred since Labor Day. “Since the school …
MISD to host Virtual School Choice Fair
Times will be assigned for each room when parents can join a live chat with a campus administrator and ask questions about the school. The Virtual …
Great Bend schools explore virtual school option for 2021-22
GREAT BEND — USD 428 continues to discuss the potential for creating a small virtual school option for Great Bend stendents grades 6-12 for …
Colbert parents must make in-person, virtual school choice by Tuesday
Colbert parents must make in-person, virtual school choice by Tuesday. By Russ Corey Staff Writer; Jan 11, 2021; 8 hrs ago; 0. TUSCUMBIA …
Harassment in virtual school classroom raises questions
Harassment in virtual school classroom raises questions. Local Journalism Initiative Reporter By: Maggie Macintosh | Posted: 01/12/2021 7:00 PM.
Kansas Community Examines Opening Virtual School in 2022
(TNS) — Great Bend USD 428 will apply to the Kansas State Department of Education to start a virtual school in 2022. The school board met Monday …
Pastor who left ministry to help her children with virtual school wants to return, but isn’t sure how
MUST WATCH. How the pandemic disproportionately affects working moms 02:39. (CNN) Pastor Meredith Dodd tried really hard to keep working during …
Halfway through pandemic year of schooling, parents value kids’ mental health over academics
Local families’ experiences with virtual school during the pandemic are mixed. Some parents are surprisingly pleased with their children’s academic …
Virtual School Open Houses Put Prospective Students, Families in the Know
VIRTUAL GREETINGS—The archdiocesan Virtual Visiting Program for school open houses began in early December and will continue until at least late …
Philly parents deeply divided over virtual school, data shows ahead of district decision
Philly parents deeply divided over virtual school, data shows ahead of district decision. Avi Wolfman-Arent/WHYY; Jan 13, 2021; 5 hrs ago; 0.
Botetourt County launching new virtual school option, even after pandemic is over
Botetourt County launching new virtual school option, even after pandemic is over. Some students are thriving in online school environments.
Remote Moms & Dad’s Navigating Virtual School
The views expressed here are the author’s own. Clearwater|Local Event. Remote Moms & Dad’s Navigating Virtual School. Verlinda …
USD 428 continues to look at virtual school
“I think parents are realizing that a virtual school or GB Remote is hard,” Reiser said. However, the district sees a need for it as some parents do want that …
School District of Lancaster students to return to classroom Jan. 25; virtual options available
Enroll in the district’s virtual school, Cyber Pathways Academy. The board split the plan into three separate votes for elementary, middle and high …
Finally, the Google News alert for cyber school.
Cornwall-Lebanon School District reports no active COVID-19 cases
While the district runs its own cyber option, it also offers an outside cyber school option to its students. School board members also heard from principal …
Use of CARES funding by cyber charter schools in question
Abington Heights Superintendent Michael Mahon, Ph.D., called the state’s cyber school laws the most “outdated and unfair” in the nation. The federal …
Reach Cyber Students Across Pennsylvania Build Their Own Rube Goldberg Machines
Reach Cyber Charter school, a K-12 full-time cyber school, encourages any family in Pennsylvania interested in winter activities that are fun and …
Concerns raised about Franklin Virtual Academy
Superintendent Mark Loucks revealed some alarming figures surrounding cyber school grades during Monday’s Franklin School Board meeting.
COVID-19 Impact on Virtual Schools Market Projected to Register 13.5% CAGR to 2025
An online school (virtual school or e-school or cyber-school) teaches students entirely or primarily online or through the internet. An online school can …
Local school boards meet, taxes discussed
Among the projected increased expenses, Fink said the cost of outside cyber school tuition is expected to increase by $340,000 over 2020-2021.
COVID impact on school districts varies across Pennsylvania, new report shows
Faidley said federal COVID-19 funding has been helpful, but it does nothing to address things like the rising cost of cyber school tuition. The district …
JMCSS Education Vision meeting discusses new initiative, program expansion
It will progress Cyber School to let kids move at their own pace, and add a socialization piece. Committee members believe this will be a great …
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