EXPLORE: Coronavirus updatesCovid: One Year LaterQuick Guides
Curriculum
Topic

Distance Learning

The coronavirus crisis has forced school districts, colleges and universities to shift to teaching and learning online. But distance learning poses myriad challenges in a state of 40 million people where many students still lack reliable access to the internet and the devices they need to succeed in online learning. Under this topic, you will find EdSource’s stories exploring these challenges and strategies to overcome them.
Testing and Accountability
February 24, 2021

California moves ahead to pursue flexibility waivers for standardized tests this year

The state board will consider if districts can use locally selected tests where Smarter Balanced assessments are not feasible.

Sydney Johnson
Testing and Accountability
February 22, 2021

Schools must give standardized tests this year, Biden administration says

It’s been unclear whether the Biden administration would offer testing waivers as many school districts continue to operate with distance learning.

Sydney Johnson
Distance Learning
February 19, 2021

Veteran teachers surveyed worry about Covid’s long-term harm on California students

In the first of a series capturing teachers' experiences, most express alarm over the pandemic's impact on learning and mental health.

John Fensterwald
Math and Science
February 19, 2021

California students watch and learn through hands-on projects as Mars rover lands

Teachers have crafted weeks and even months-long lessons culminating with the historic Mars rover landing on Feb. 18.

Sydney Johnson
Special Education
February 16, 2021

Special education teachers grapple with risks of in-person classes: ‘An impossible choice’

Students who won’t wear masks or socially distance create for a “nerve-wracking” work environment.

Carolyn Jones
Distance Learning
February 12, 2021

White students in California more likely to be getting in-person instruction than Black, Latino and Asian students

Across California, nearly half of all districts with elementary schools have reopened them to in-person or hybrid learning. White students more likely to be attending school in-person.

Sydney Johnson And Daniel J. Willis
Coronavirus
February 12, 2021

Talks slow, no word yet from Newsom and top lawmakers on deal to reopen schools

Disagreements over vaccinations and extensive Covid testing appear among issues yet to be resolved for elementary students to return to class.

John Fensterwald
English Learners
February 10, 2021

California schools struggle to test English learners’ progress during pandemic

The spread of the coronavirus and the digital divide are obstacles for testing students' English skills.

Zaidee Stavely
Distance Learning
February 9, 2021

California teachers grapple with grading nearly a year after initial school closures

Many districts are seeing surges in Fs and Ds during distance learning, prompting a revision of expectations and policies around grades.

Sydney Johnson
Coronavirus
January 29, 2021

California teachers union wants schools in ‘purple’ counties to stay closed for 100 days; vaccinations for staff

The teachers union wants most California schools to remain closed for 100 days while the state comes up with a plan to slow the spread of the virus and vaccinate school staff.

Diana Lambert
Early Learning
January 28, 2021

What happens to children who missed kindergarten during Covid-19 crisis?

While many students have likely suffered learning loss during the global health crisis, it may have a greater impact on incoming first-graders.

Karen D'Souza
Coronavirus
January 27, 2021

With Gov. Newsom's back-to-school plan all but doomed, what might it take to salvage it?

The Feb.1 deadline for the plan soon will pass; talks continue over complaints the plan’s requirements and timeline were unworkable.

John Fensterwald
Coronavirus
January 26, 2021

Initial data for California confirm early grades, low-income children hit hardest by ‘learning loss’

A study of 50,000 students from 18 districts reaffirm that those who have traditionally struggled fell farther behind academically.

John Fensterwald
Coronavirus
January 22, 2021

Bay Area district plans to offer distance learning in fall even after campuses reopen 

Though it’s unclear when in-person instruction will resume, West Contra Costa Unified is creating a “virtual academy” option for the fall.

Ali Tadayon
Distance Learning
January 21, 2021

L.A. Unified experiments with new tutoring program during pandemic

An after-school tutoring program kicked off amid the global health crisis is showing early promise in pockets of Los Angeles Unified, where a drop in grades among students has upended the nation’s second-largest school district’s approach to grading and instruction.

Betty Márquez Rosales