High School Resources for Remote Learning During COVID-19 School Closures

There is no question: Each of us is facing difficult and unprecedented challenges in the wake…

By Team XQ

There is no question: Each of us is facing difficult and unprecedented challenges in the wake of COVID-19 and its impacts.

For far too many young people, school is not only a place to learn, grow, and self-actualize; it’s a place they count on to get two square meals a day, build connections with caring adults, or find a safe space in what may be an otherwise chaotic world.

At XQ, “rethinking” education to serve all students is in our DNA. Original thinkers and generous collaborators across the nation and all over the world are responding to the challenges we face right now to ensure all young people get the support they need and deserve.

We are energized by the innovation, ingenuity, and enthusiasm of people like you who are working tirelessly to address this new reality for the learners you serve.  We’ll continue to listen intently to educators, students, families, and communities as we move forward, together, with urgency, empathy, and humility.

And we’ll keep sharing what we’re learning, beginning with this list of resources to help you -rethink high school—every day and in challenging moments like this. 

For Educators: How Best to Support Young People During the COVID-19 Crisis

Supporting Students during COVID-19

Our friends at Emerson Collective compiled a list of resources on remote learning, focusing on how best to support students during COVID-19 school closures. 

Learning in the time of COVID-19 

Forbes published a list of useful resources to support learning during the COVID-19 related school closures, including online resources for educators. 

Virtual Activities for Young Authors

To keep young authors and high school readers engaged, We Are Teachers curated a list of virtual experiences which include everything from author led lectures to interactive reading guides.   

Remember, Learning Keeps Going 

In order to support educators during school closures, Digital Promise created a resource hub, titled Learning Keeps Going, and set up a help desk for educators navigating moving their classes and lessons online. 

Resources for Remote Teaching 

Transcend Education also created a “School Closure Resource Guide” with essential resources for remote teaching, as well as a list of stories from schools navigating closures. 

Tools from Teachers for Remote Learning

We Are Teachers came up with an awesome list of 130+ resources for educators navigating remote learning experiences, including some helpful links on creating remote learning experiences for high schoolers. 

Making Virtual Learning Meaningful 

Creating unique and engaging learning experiences online is a daunting challenge. Luckily, Teach For All compiled 12 tips on fostering online learning that is inclusive and community focused. 

Connect with your Community

As educators it’s important to talk through what’s working and what isn’t. If you’re looking for a place to discuss the struggles and successes of remote learning, join our Facebook Group for educators. 

Helping Students Learn during a Global Crisis

For many students, the COVID-19 pandemic is their first experience living through a global crisis. To help educators meet the emotional needs of their students, the Trauma and Learning Policy Institute provides guidance on how to help traumatized students. 

For School Leaders: How School Leaders Can Support Students During COVID-19

Guide to Supporting Students during COVID-19

Instruction Partners curated a “COVID-19 Resource Hub” to help school leaders support students and continue engaged learning during this extended school closure. 

Bolstering Community in a time of Crisis

Communities need to feel supported during moments of crisis. In order to help school leaders support their communities during the COVID-19, Harvard’s Educational Blog, Usable Knowledge, created an easy guide on standards and practices used in education during global emergencies. 

Supporting Marginalized Students and Families

It’s important to recognize how this crisis affects members of the community differently. For undocumented students and families in Texas and New York City, ImmSchools created a guide and compiled resources to help navigate this precarious time. 

Resources on Keeping your School Safe 

AASA: The School Superintendents Association has compiled a comprehensive list of resources from across the nation on emergency management, school safety, and crisis planning. 

Building a Community Online 

Global Online Academy is hosting roundtables with school leaders across the country, many of whom are navigating the COVID-19 related closures and will speak with experts about how to build a community online. 

Address COVID-19 and Protect Student’s Civil Rights  

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights issued a fact sheet to help school leaders comply with civil rights statutes and regulations as they respond to COVID-19 concerns.

How to Maintain Education Equity during COVID-19

We cannot repeat this enough: COVID-19 school closure will affect students differently. Because of these differential consequences, it’s important to prioritize educational equity during remote learning. Here’s a list of resources and responses to COVID-19’s impact on equity. 

Resources for Education Systems

Chiefs for Change, an organization of district and state education Chiefs, collected state and district responses to COVID-19, including resources on special needs education. 

COVID-19 and Student Homelessness

As COVID-19 disrupts education, students who are homeless are exceptionally vulnerable to falling behind during this transition. In order to be proactive in this challenge, SchoolHouse Connection curated resources for school leaders to meet the needs of their most vulnerable students. 

Resources for Inclusive Learning

Leading in uncertain and overwhelming times is difficult. Here’s a link to eight key strategies that states can use to foster inclusive principal leadership. The resource list is complete with example actions and aligned resources. 

For Educators and School Leaders: How to Support Students with Disabilities during COVID-19

Tools for Customizing Student Supports

Offering individualized and custom supports and opportunities for students is critical during remote learning. For education leaders looking for help, the Education Redesign Lab at Harvard released a report on how to better support every student at school and at home. 

Forward Together

Understood and the National Center for Learning Disabilities, released a tactical guide that better prepares school leaders to engage and support students with learning and attention issues. The guide focuses on inclusivity in schools and asks school leaders to assess their own school environments.  

How to Serve Students with Disabilities during COVID-19

Additionally, The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil RIghts issued another fact sheet to help school leaders support students with disabilities while properly addressing COVID-19 health risks. 

Supporting Students with Disabilities during COVID-19

Students with disabilities may be disportionately impacted by COVID-19 school closures. In order to help students with disabilities thrive during remote learning, the National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools compiled a list of resources to support educators and advocates.

Resources for Supporting Students with IEP 

Understood.org compiled a list of resources for educators on remote learning and tips for parents to help with home learning and special education. These tips include discussion on how to support students with anxiety and how to talk to your child about COVID-19.  

Resources on Educating Students with Disabilities

Last October, the Center for Reinventing Public Education along with the National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools released a report on how to best serve students with disabilities in charter schools. Their list of tips and emphasis on flexibility now seems more important than ever. 

Personalized Learning

To achieve at high levels, students with disabilities need specialized instruction, support that builds on their strengths and acknowledges their challenges, and a warm and engaging environment. The National Center for Learning Disabilities and UnidosUS offers tips and guidance on building personalized learning networks in this report. 

Building Levels of Support 

Multi-tiered support systems are necessary to support students with disabilities, especially in times of crisis. SWIFT Schoolwide offers tools, resources, and services on how to build an overlapping network of support. 

Take a Class on Supporting Students with Disabilities 

The Friday Institute for Education at North Carolina State offers online courses for educators to help expand educator knowledge related to learning differences and to provide strategies to impact the learning experience of students positively. 

How to Support Dyslexic Learners 

The Dyslexic- SpLD Trust offers an online tool to provide educators with the knowledge and skills needed to support learners with dyslexia. 

For Families: Tips on How to Navigate Home Life During COVID-19 

COVID-19 Care at Home

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network compiled a guide to help families navigate COVID-19 at home, which includes information about the virus and its effects, as well as guidelines for at-home medical care. 

Resources and Support for Parents Educating at Home 

Education Reimagined included a list of resources for parents and personal reflections from parents in their Distance Learning Resource Center. 

Resources for Families during COVID-19 

Common Sense Media created a resource center to help parents navigate a changing home life during COVID-19, which includes discussions on spotting fake news and tips on de-stressing. 

Learning at Home Together

Colorìn Colorado is an incredible resource for educators and families of English language learners. They offer resources for families on “Learning Together at Home,” and on “Technology at Home.” In response to COVID-19, Colorìn Colorado curated a resource hub for ELL and immigrant families. 

Tackling COVID-19 Together

Learning how to reach the educational, social, and emotional needs of every student is incredibly important during this transition to remote learning. Here is a list of resources for families, PTA leaders, and educators compiled by the National PTA to support all students. 

COVID-19 and a Multi-Generational House

Generations United wrote a fact sheet for people living in Grandfamilies and Multi-Generational households. These tips include links on how to get free and discounted Wifi and how to adapt to the change in welfare programs. 

How to Talk to Young People about COVID-19

In times of overwhelming change, it’s important to have open dialogue within your family. To help foster this environment, the National Association of School Psychologists created a parent resource about how to best approach a family discussion on COVID-19.

For Students: Continuing to Collaborate at Home 

Collaborating in a Remote Classroom 

Learning is a social process, not a solitary one. Common Sense Education compiled a list of tools to help students collaborate, even when they are far apart from one another.  

Building Inclusive Collaboration

It is important to emphasize connection and collaboration during this period of social distancing. But, be sure that this connection and collaboration includes everyone. To help, the ValueAble Leader Project created a free web-based app designed specifically to engage and include students who learn differently. 

Helping Every Student Achieve, Even at Home 

The State Education Technology Directors Association compiled a list of resources and tips for supporting students with IEPs or 504 plans during the COVID-19 closures.

How Coronavirus Is Impacting Me as a High School Senior

Roxie Richner, an activist, and high school senior, offers some compassionate and wise reflections on ending her high school career during a moment of uncertainty. 

In the days and weeks ahead, we will continue sharing what we learn. And if you have a high school resource to add or a point of view to share, please send it to us at [email protected]. Your stories will help all of us build a sense of community and connection.