Resources to Help Charter Schools Navigate the Reopening Process

August 3, 2020

As schools prepare for the 2020-21 school year, there are so many factors to consider. We know there is a lot of information out there, and it is difficult to keep track of all the updates. We’ve compiled a list of guidance and resources from government and health agencies as well as charter organizations to help school leaders quickly access the information they need to make critical decisions and prepare for the continued education of their students, be it through remote, hybrid, or in-person instruction.

The list includes national resources as well as links to state-specific guidance in states where EdTec currently has a presence.  We will update the list on an ongoing basis as more information becomes available.

National Resources

The Safe Reopening of Charter Schools by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

A collection of public resources on guidance for the safe reopening of charter schools.

State-Specific Resources

California

Stronger Together: A Guidebook for the Safe Reopening of California’s Public Schools by the California Department of Education

Released on June 8, this guidebook aims to support public school leaders as they work with local health officers to plan for the safe reopening of campuses and classrooms this fall.

COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Schools and School-Based Programs by the California Department of Public Health

Guidance on School Re-Openings by the California Charter Schools Association

A collection of curated research and guidelines for California schools.

Colorado

Planning the 2020-2021 School Year: A Framework and Toolkit for School and District Leaders for Feedback by the Colorado Department of Education

Reopening Schools: Health Guidance by COVID-19 Phase by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado Department of Education, and Colorado Governor’s Office

COVID-19 League Support by Colorado League of Charter Schools

Resources include news; weekly support calls by topic such as special education, instruction, and technology; and webinars.

Georgia

School Reopening Communications Toolkit by the Georgia Charter Schools Association and the State Charter Schools Foundation of Georgia.

Resources include letters to families, reopening surveys, suggested social media posts, and CDC posters in multiple languages.

Georgia’s K-12 Restart and Recovery by the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Department of Public Health

The report provides guidance to support districts and communities in developing plans for reopening schools.

Louisiana

School Reopening Guidelines and Resources by the Louisiana Department of Education

Reopening Guidance by the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools

A list of links to information on statewide and city-specific guidance on reopening schools.

Nevada

Nevada’s Path Forward: A Framework for a Safe, Efficient, and Equitable Return to School Buildings by the Nevada Department of Education

Guidance for Path Forward Programs of Distance Education by the Nevada Department of Education

A memo with information on minimum requirements for distance education plans, attendance requirements, hybrid learning, professional development, and more. All schools must submit a plan for a Path Forward Program of Distance Education as a contingency plan in the case of future school closures.

New Mexico

Reentry District and School Guidance by the New Mexico Department of Public Education

New York

Reopening Schools: Recover, Rebuild and Renew the Spirit of Our Schools by the New York State Department of Education and the Board of Regents

A website designed to help schools continue to educate students, whether in-person, remotely, or a combination of both.

School Reopening Resources by the New York State Department of Education and The Board of Regents

Resources for teachers and administrators as they plan for the 2020-21 school year.

Tennessee

School Reopening Toolkits and Guidance by the Tennessee Department of Education

A series of 20 toolkits provide guidance on topics such as school nutrition, transportation, special populations, technology, well-being and mental health, charter schools, and staffing.

School Reopening Toolkit: Charter Schools by the Tennessee Department of Education

A collection of checklists, best practices, and resources for charter schools as they prepare for a safe reopening.

We will update this list on an ongoing basis as more information becomes available. If you are aware of additional resources that you think would be helpful for us to share with other charters, please let us know in the comments section below!