KENTUCKY — The Kentucky Department of Education released new guidance Friday for school leaders to consider when making plans for the 2020-2021 school year.
In the 16-page memo, the KDE provides schools leaders with a variety of questions to consider before students and staff are allowed to return to the classroom.
Some of the questions include:
- How will school leaders ensure the health and safety of everybody in their buildings?
- How they will maintain quality teaching and learning?
- How they will support exceptional learners, including gifted and talented students and students in need of special education services?
The KDE also suggested four different scenarios for how to re-open schools.
- The first is scheduled rotations. Students would be assigned to groups and attend class on alternating times or days of the week. This would reduce class size and allow for greater social distancing. Meals would be served in the classrooms.
- The second scenario is a synchronous opt-in. Parents would choose whether children attend in person or via live streaming. This would require heavy use of technology. Schools would have to ensure the same experience for all students which would include co-teaching.
- The third scenario is a hybrid model. students would be sorted into groups alternating time in the classroom and at home. This would also require heavy use of technology.
- The fourth scenario would be fully online. All students would receive instruction at home. this reflects learning models that were in place for the end of this school year. The state says it may be more appropriate for older students.
Many of the decisions on how to move forward in this challenging time will be decided by local boards of education and school-based decision-making councils.
More information can be in this document - “COVID-19 Considerations for Reopening Schools, Initial Guidance for Schools and Districts”