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Enhanced and formalized social, emotional and academic learning supports

Responding to the COVID-19 school closures and racial equity with targeted supports in the areas of academics and social-emotional learning

• Aligned to traditional in-person learning experience, with staff working their full contract day and planning time embedded into the schedule

• Attendance taken daily

• Students graded on completed work

• Scheduling guardrails across schools, including the same number of lesson blocks across grade levels, and a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes of synchronous instruction per subject at all schools in ACPS 

• Social, Emotional and Academic Learning (SEAL) lessons for all students combined with structured opportunities to build relationships 

• Screening of all students for academic as well as  social and emotional needs

• Expanded staff access to educational tools and professional learning  on a variety of virtual platforms

• Commitment to exemplary programs such as IB, STEM, CETA, Dual Language and Advanced PLacement (AP)

Key Components of Support and Potential Designs

• Attendance will be taken daily.
• Students will be graded on completed work.
• We will provide Scheduling Guardrails across schools.
• All students will receive SEAL lessons and opportunities to build relationships.
• Screening of students for academics and social emotional needs.
• Dedicated SEAL Time
• Student Engagement and Participation
• Variety of Instructional Models + Assessments  
• Opportunities for Differentiated Learning Experiences 
• Commitment  to Exemplary Programs (e.g. STEM, CETA, DL, AP) 

The School Day Structure

Elementary: 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Middle School:  8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

High School:  8:30 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.

Formative and Ongoing Assessments

• Staff will utilize the ACPS Teaching and Learning Framework and the MTSS assessment matrix.
• Prek-1 division staff will work in collaboration with teachers to develop formative  assessments.
• Students will take a variety of assessments to check for understanding such as exit tickets, performance based assessments, portfolios, video submissions, and common unit assessments.
• MAP Screener data will inform families, staff, and students to areas of academic strength and areas of focus to inform instruction and necessary supports.
• We plan to administer MAP Screener virtually for all students, grades 2-12 in math and reading. This is a brief (20 question) screener that is feasible to be administered virtually.
• We will prioritize student social and emotional wellness in the initial return to school in September; MAP Screener will be administered in early October.
• Full MAP Assessment will be administered to students grades 2-12 once ACPS returns to in-person learning.

Division Guidance

• Explicit Time for SEAL (Consistent, Regular→ Min. of 30 Minutes at Grades 3-12, Min. 20 Minutes at Grades PK-2)
• Same # of Blocks Across Levels (ex: All ES)
• Secondary: Explore the Use of  4x4 and Block Models
• **30-45 Minutes Minimum Synchronous Instruction per Subject (Based on 3.0 Scheduling)
• Assumptions: 
• Staff will Return to Their Full Contract Hours

Professional Learning Supports for Staff

• Embedded Planning Time 
• Expanding Tools of all Staff to Meet Model Delivery 
• Training on a Variety of Virtual Platforms and Instructional Models 
• Teaching Resources Suited to Virtual Models
• Family Engagement