Fulton County Schools today announced that it will begin the 2020-2021 school year using the Universal Remote Learning model. The first day of instruction continues to be August 17.
“The data and information from our health partners is overwhelming. This virus is spreading and not slowing down,” said Superintendent Mike Looney. “I was hopeful the direction would change, but it is clear that we must pivot from the Face-to-Face model to the Universal Remote Learning model in order to keep our students, their families, and our staff members safe.”
In May, Superintendent Looney announced three models the district was developing while monitoring the spread of COVID-19: (1) Face-to-Face instruction with enhanced cleaning and social distancing protocols; (2) Universal Remote Learning; and (3) Blended Learning using a combination of remote and in-person instruction. In June, he announced the district would open with Face-to-Face instruction but allow families to choose a virtual option for their students. He also shared that the district would remain agile and adjust to another model if data warranted a change.
“Our district is in a situation we never imagined or expected, but moving to Universal Remote Learning is the right thing to do. Keeping our students and employees safe is our top priority,” said Fulton School Board President Julia Bernath. “The School Board has full confidence in Dr. Looney and his decision.”
“It is important our families know we have been preparing for this scenario,” said Superintendent Looney. “We learned a great deal last spring. We saw what was working and what was not, and we used feedback from our parents, students, and staff to make changes in how instruction would be delivered remotely. There will be more rigor, more accountability, and more support. Teachers also are receiving more training so they can successfully deliver meaningful instruction in a remote environment.”
As examples, some changes will benefit students and their parents helping at home. The number of online platforms has been streamlined, with ClassLink used as the single sign-on for district software applications and Microsoft Teams used for instruction and communication. Students will follow a predetermined school schedule, and grading and attendance practices will be consistent and recorded. Fulton County Schools will continue to provide digital learning devices for students in grades 3-12, but prekindergarten through second grade will rely heavily on printed learning packets.
The district also will share resources with parents for how to help their student at home.
Other changes will better support teachers and allow more access to educational resources while providing increased opportunities for professional support and sharing of best practices. Teachers will be expected to submit lesson plans for all learning activities, and this will help school leaders provide more guidance and input to teachers needing support.
Superintendent Looney will present more specific details about Universal Remote Learning at the School Board’s next meeting on Thursday, July 23, as well as share the revised back-to-school plan with the Georgia Department of Education.
About the Fulton County School System. The Fulton County School System is the fourth largest school system in Georgia. More than 93,500 students attend 106 schools in the cities of Alpharetta, Chattahoochee Hills, College Park, East Point, Fairburn, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Palmetto, Roswell, Sandy Springs, South Fulton, and Union City.
Updates (as of July 24, 2020)
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Back-to-School Plan
Chief Academic Officer Cliff Jones, Chief Talent Officer Ron Wade, Chief Operations Officer Patrick Burke, and Interim Chief Information Officer Emily Bell shared details of the Superintendent’s Back-to-School plan. Click here for the presentation.
Board members shared that they have received hundreds of emails from parents with varying opinions about the district’s decision to start school in a virtual setting rather than face-to-face. Throughout the meeting, Board members asked questions about reopening plans, including many questions posed from these emails.
Teachers and staff are returning to school sites on August 3, with social distancing, face coverings and other safety and cleaning protocols in place, so they can prepare to begin the school year on August 17 in Universal Remote Learning mode. Universal Remote Learning will be more rigorous than last spring and there will be live daily instruction in an online setting in multiple subjects. Attendance also will be taken, and consistent grading standards will be followed. Teachers will teach from their classroom to students in their school. Microsoft Teams will be used for meetings and collaboration, and ClassLink will serve as a single sign-on point for students with apps such as iReady, Safari Montage, Illuminate, etc. used to supplement teachers’ live instruction. An additional 7,400 digital devices are being procured for student and staff use and the district is working with community groups and grant funding to supply internet hotspots to eligible families meeting income requirements.
School Reopening Matrix
Superintendent Looney presented the School Reopening Matrix, which shows a careful and measured move from Universal Remote Learning back to Face-to-Face instruction in schools. The plan is data-driven and dependent upon the level of community spread decreasing by specific targets over a set time period. When those targets are met, the district would progress into the next phase and give parents the option to allow students to gradually transition to an in-school learning environment. The plan allows for brief in-person interaction during each phase and building up to more time in school until there is full-day, Monday through Friday instruction. The plan is outlined on pages 14-15 of the Back-to-School Plan.
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