REOPENING PLAN EQUITY CRITERIA

MAXIMIZING IN-PERSON INSTRUCTIONAL TIME WITHIN HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

The district reopening plan returns students from all grade levels to in-person instruction.

The district reopening plan indicates if certain students will be prioritized to return to in-person instruction more frequently based on educational needs.

The district reopening plan leverages collaborative community partnerships, such as afterschool program providers, to strengthen the district’s initiatives and/or expand its capacity and reach.

PROVIDING EQUITABLE INSTRUCTION AND ENGAGING ALL STUDENTS

The district reopening plan demonstrates the use of a locally determined formative or diagnostic assessment to determine individual student needs and target extra help to ensure academic needs are addressed.

The district reopening plan provides live daily instruction aligned with grade-level learning standards to all students in all grade levels during blended or distance learning.

The district reopening plan describes how school districts will use a variety of creative methods to reach out to students and their families who did not engage in distance learning. School policies and procedures must focus on the academic consequences of lost instructional time and address absences before students fall behind in their learning.

The district reopening plan describes how districts will assign each student an “ally” – such as counselors, coaches, social workers, psychologists, and other school staff in addition to teaching staff – who is responsible to check in on the student every day, whether instruction is in-person, remote, or through a hybrid model.

The district reopening plan includes information on how the district will provide multiple ways for students to participate in learning, which includes routine meaningful feedback on student assignments and support from an appropriately certified teacher whether instruction is delivered in-person, remotely, or through a hybrid model.

The district reopening plan describes a mechanism to collect and report daily teacher-student engagement or attendance while in a remote or hybrid schedule.

MEETING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL NEEDS

The district reopening plan proactively and regularly identifies the social-emotional needs of returning students, including by engaging parents and families.

The district reopening plan includes a strategy for providing social-emotional assistance or referrals to students and families.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH UNIQUE LEARNING NEEDS

The district reopening plan specifies how it will address the learning loss experienced by many English language learners (ELLs), in both their English language development and mastery of content-area knowledge.

The district reopening plan describes how the district will ensure access to the necessary accommodations; modifications; supplementary aids, evaluations, and related services; and technology (including assistive technology) to meet the unique disability-related needs of students.

The district reopening plan prioritizes equity and access for all students including, students experiencing homelessness, regardless of the instructional model implemented.

PROVIDING ACCESS TO STRONG EDUCATORS

The district reopening plan includes regular substantive interaction between teachers and students.

The district reopening plan includes professional learning that addresses staff’s understanding of mental health, well-being, trauma-responsive and restorative practices, and social-emotional learning to support students.

The district reopening plan identifies and addresses any additional professional development needs for administrators, teachers, and teaching assistants for the upcoming school year, and particularly those needs related to designing effective remote/online learning experiences and best practices for instruction in remote/online settings.

ADDRESSING FAMILIES’ AND EDUCATORS’ TECHNOLOGY NEEDS

The district reopening plan includes information on how the district will have knowledge of the level of access to devices and high-speed internet all students have in their places of residence.

The district reopening plan includes information on how the district, to the extent practicable, will address the need to provide a device for exclusive use to students who currently do not have access regardless of whether an in-person, remote, or hybrid model is utilized.

The district reopening plan includes information on how the district, to the extent practicable, will address the need to provide consistent, reliable access to high-speed internet at a sufficient level to fully participate in remote/ online learning (e.g., a hotspot) to students who currently do not have sufficient access regardless of whether an in-person, remote, or hybrid model is utilized.

The district reopening plan includes information on how the district, to the extent practicable, will address the need to provide a device for exclusive use to teachers who currently do not have access regardless of whether an in-person, remote, or hybrid model is utilized.

The district reopening plan includes information on how the district, to the extent practicable, will address the need to provide consistent, reliable access to high-speed internet at a sufficient level to fully participate in remote/online teaching (e.g., a hotspot) to teachers who currently do not have sufficient access regardless of whether an in-person, remote, or hybrid model is utilized.

ADOPTING ANTI-RACIST POLICIES AND PRACTICES

The district reopening plan describes instructional experiences that are inclusive, culturally responsive, consider the needs of all students, and adhere to all established state regulations and guidelines.

The district reopening plan describes how all grade 7-12 students will have equitable access to high quality rigorous instructional opportunities [consistent with NYSED guidance on access to advanced courses].

The district reopening plan describes the implementation of restorative practices within the learning community.

IMPROVING FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION

The district reopening plan describes how districts will engage with school stakeholders and community members (e.g., students, parents/legal guardians of students and others) in developing their reopening plan and identify those that participated in the reopening planning.

The district reopening plan describes a clear communication plan available in multiple languages and disseminated through multiple modalities (e.g., email, online platform, and/or by phone) for how students and their families/caregivers can contact the school and teachers with questions about their instruction and/or technology.

The district reopening plan describes communication with families regarding school meal availability and access through multiple means in the languages spoken by families.