U.S. Department of Education Unveils the “Return to School Roadmap”
The U.S. Department of Education rolled out a “Return to School Roadmap,” featuring a compilation of resources meant to help students, schools, educators, and communities return to and sustain in-person learning for the upcoming school year.
While the Roadmap will be updated in the next several weeks as Centers for Disease Control guidance continues to evolve, current resources set out the priorities of the Department, offer ways schools can promote healthy and safe learning, and provide parents with the preparatory resources for their children’s return.
The Roadmap’s “Landmark” priorities are to maximize health and safety, support student’s social/emotional/mental health, and accelerate academic progress. The Department also encourages parents of students with disabilities to pay close attention to their children’s needs and speak to teachers and counselors early in the school year if their IEP, 504 Plan, or other supports are in need of revision. In addition, the Roadmap suggests that parents of immuno-compromised students speak with their healthcare provider to ensure the safest and most effective course of action for their child.