Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together Connecticut State Department of Education Updated September 4, 2020 i Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together Contents 1. Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................................. ii 2. Foreword .................................................................................................................................................................. iii 3. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 Guiding Principles ............................................................................................................................................. 1 Equity .................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Key ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3 4. Priorities .................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Fall Reopening Model ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Temporarily Choosing Not to Participate .................................................................................................. 6 School Liaison, Communications Plans, and Data Collection .............................................................. 7 5. Operations Plan ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 Facilities .............................................................................................................................................................. 8 Daily Operations ............................................................................................................................................... 11 Child Nutrition .................................................................................................................................................. 13 Transportation .................................................................................................................................................. 14 Fiscal and Budgetary Considerations ......................................................................................................... 16 6. Health Practices And Protocols ........................................................................................................................ 18 Standard Public Health Practices and Adequate Supplies .................................................................. 18 Immunizations and Health Assessments ................................................................................................... 18 Reporting Illnesses and Addressing Vulnerable Populations ............................................................. 19 Social Distancing ............................................................................................................................................ 20 Material Sharing .............................................................................................................................................. 20 Use of Face Coverings, Masks, and Face Shields ................................................................................ 20 7. Health Monitoring Plan ...................................................................................................................................... 22 Planning and Distribution of Information ................................................................................................. 22 Attendance Monitoring ................................................................................................................................. 22 8. Containment Plan ............................................................................................................................................... 23 9. Cancellation of Classes, Remote Learning, and Reopening Plans ..................................................... 24 Cancellation of Classes ................................................................................................................................ 24 Future Planning for Remote Blended Learning ..................................................................................... 25 Reopening Plan ............................................................................................................................................... 26 10. Academics ........................................................................................................................................................... 28 CT Learning Hub ............................................................................................................................................ 28 Plan to Reimagine CT Classrooms for Continuous Learning .............................................................. 28 Assessment Practices for 2020–21 ........................................................................................................... 29 Attendance and Discipline ........................................................................................................................... 32 Special Education ........................................................................................................................................... 32 English Learners (ELs) ................................................................................................................................... 34 Physical Education, Athletics, Arts, and Extracurricular Activities ..................................................... 35 11. Family and Student Engagement ................................................................................................................. 38 Family Support and Communication ......................................................................................................... 38 Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Mental Health ............................................................................. 39 After-school Programming ........................................................................................................................... 40 Adult Education ............................................................................................................................................... 41 12. Career and Technical Education ................................................................................................................. 42 13. Staffing and Personnel .................................................................................................................................... 44 Certification and Personnel Planning........................................................................................................ 44 Professional Development .......................................................................................................................... 45 Additional Resources .............................................................................................................................................. 46 Appendixes — Addendums ................................................................................................................................... 47 ii Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together 1. Acknowledgments The Connecticut State Department of Education State of Connecticut (CSDE) and members of the State Board of Education Ned Lamont, Governor would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to this document. This Connecticut State work reflects the input of classroom teachers, school Department of Education counselors, principals, superintendents, parents, Dr. Miguel A. Cardona students, and facilities leaders across the state of Commissioner of Education the Connecticut. Their input was instrumental in the development of this document. Specifically, we would Desi Nesmith like to extend our appreciation to: Deputy Commissioner • The voices of thousands of parents and Charlene Russell-Tucker students who participated in surveys Deputy Commissioner • Connecticut PK–12 Reopen Committee Laura J. Stefon Chief of Staff • Reopen Regional Advisory Teams Communications Office • Learn from Home Task Force Matthew J. Falconer • Office of the Governor Editor • Connecticut Office of Policy and Andrea N. Wadowski Management Graphic Designer • Connecticut Department of Public Health Connecticut State • Connecticut Office of Early Childhood Board of Education Education Allan B. Taylor, Chairperson Additionally, the leadership of the CSDE would like Dr. Estela López, Vice Chairperson to acknowledge the incredible work of the entire Erin D. Benham department staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bonnie E. Burr creation of the materials compiled in this document Milan Chand would not have been possible without the contribu- Sophia H. Chin tions of each member of