Tracking Back-to-School 2020-2021

We’ve all been paying close attention to the news and our local school communities, following the opening plans. MDR data experts have been capturing when and how school will be in session and which learning models each school will follow. Although, some schools started a little later this year, as of this week, most schools are back in session. However, the ways in which they deliver instruction will vary. Many will follow one of three learning models: Staggered, Remote, or Blended as defined below.

Here’s what else we’ve learned from the data:

Plans are changing and will continue to change

63% of districts plan to have students in person at least some of the time
- Of those, 24% are still unsure of what accommodations they will be making
- And 60% are planning on some type of schedule change; nearly 15% don’t plan any schedule changes—meaning the plan right now is to have students in the classroom full-time
Almost 14% of districts nationwide do not plan to have students in school initially this fall
Of the districts planning some type of schedule change,
- 31% are implementing blended learning programs
- 67% are preparing for remote learning
- 8% plan for staggered learning programs

These are the learning models most schools are adopting:

Staggered Learning

Staggered Learning programs offer the opportunity for different groups of students to attend the school facility at different times. Typically, this is being done to help support social distancing practices. The staggered schedule can vary from school to school and might include some students attending mornings with other students attending afternoons. Other staggered schedules might be attending only select days of the week, or every other week. When the child is not in school, they are typically attending classes synchronous, where everyone learns in real time, with instruction from a teacher.

Remote Learning

Remote Learning programs imply students do not attend classes at a school site. Instead, they are provided packets and/or assigned reading, videos, and other online curriculum as well as time with their teacher while working from their homes. They do not enter the classroom at all. This learning can be synchronous or asynchronous. Students use mainly technology/internet-based e-learning. This can also be referred to as Virtual Learning or Distance Learning. A school can offer remote learning to some students while offering in-school services to others.

Blended Learning

Blended Learning programs offer different opportunities including offline and online curriculum and instruction. Most often, this is implemented with time spent learning both at home and at school. It typically includes some guided instruction from teachers as well as some self-paced instruction via print or electronic platforms. This type of learning can also be referred to as Hybrid Learning.

There is a lot of evolving information to keep track of right now and likely models of teaching and learning could continue to change throughout the school year. What we know right now is that plans for re-opening are as diverse as each U.S. school district and their schedules and delivery models are evolving. One thing is for sure, students will continue to learn, and teachers will teach, so stay in front of educators all year long. Because it’s not just who you reach, it’s when and where you reach them.

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