Score: 0
(0/16/0)
Santa Cruz County Grand Jury
• 2020-2021
Distance Learning During the Pandemic in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Successes, Pitfalls, and Plans for
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 7 findings
F1
Since distance learning will continue after schools reopen, students, teachers, families, and administrators will need to continue learning new ways to operate and will require continued support.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
, to prepare for continued distance learning, and possible future situations, PVUSD should survey students, teachers and parents to evaluate what worked and what didn’t work regarding distance learning. (F1, F2, F6)
R3
PVUSD should continue to keep their website updated with information and resources for teachers, students and families, including social-emotional issues, community support organizations, and educational resources.(F1, F2)
F2
Students, teachers, and families were well-served by the continuously-updated information provided by the PVUSD Superintendent’s weekly FAQ postings on PVUSD’s website.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
, to prepare for continued distance learning, and possible future situations, PVUSD should survey students, teachers and parents to evaluate what worked and what didn’t work regarding distance learning. (F1, F2, F6)
R3
PVUSD should continue to keep their website updated with information and resources for teachers, students and families, including social-emotional issues, community support organizations, and educational resources.(F1, F2)
F3
The administrators, teachers, parents, and students themselves are all understandably concerned about students’ social-emotional issues arising from the pandemic.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
, PVUSD should use forthcoming federal and state money to provide summer and after-school programs to help with learning loss and social-emotional issues. (F3, F6)
F4
The reasons that approximately 2% of PVUSD students have been “lost” are not well understood. Possible answers might include that they are either not logging on at all, or have left the area.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
, “lost” students who are still in the district should be located and their needs addressed. (F4)
F5
The Safe Spaces program has worked well, supporting online learning as well as providing counseling and food to students.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
PVUSD should continue the Safe Spaces program. Evaluate and modify over time as students return to school. (F5)
F6
Even with all the training provided to teachers, and internet accessibility provided to students, distance learning has not worked well for some students.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
, to prepare for continued distance learning, and possible future situations, PVUSD should survey students, teachers and parents to evaluate what worked and what didn’t work regarding distance learning. (F1, F2, F6)
R4
, PVUSD should use forthcoming federal and state money to provide summer and after-school programs to help with learning loss and social-emotional issues. (F3, F6)
F7
Additional upgrades in school air quality systems and furniture are necessary to comply with COVID-19 safety protocols.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Within nine months, PVUSD should use forthcoming funds to make necessary upgrades in air quality systems and furniture in the schools. (F7)
Conclusions 1
-
CL1 Page 5The PVUSD Board of Trustees approved a plan to close all district schools for two weeks beginning on March 16, 2020. The District moved quickly, putting previously thought-out plans in place that provided for distance learning and a path for communicating with students, teachers, and families. PVUSD is to be applauded for its agile and broad response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first five days after the schools shut down the district furnished the students with computers and internet access. Teachers and students received training in distance learning. Critical social services were provided to families. PVUSD can learn from the immediate and commendable actions taken to put distance learning in place. This is the time to evaluate what worked and what didn’t. Classes look different as safety measures are established and there are new concerns as students and teachers have returned to the classroom. PVUSD services need to be provided as the community heals from COVID-19, especially to those most vulnerable and difficult to locate in its District.
Commendations 1
-
CM1 Page 7C1. PVUSD rose to the occasion to meet the needs of teachers, students and families during the pandemic. Resources including training, internet access, food, clothing, housing, and mental health services were provided; communication was prioritized. C2. There is expanded internet connectivity now in the Watsonville/Pajaro area due to the efforts of PVUSD, Cruzio, and Equal Access Santa Cruz County.. C3. There is increased collaboration among agencies that provide services and support, including Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, and PVUSD.
Agency Responses 4
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.