2021 Education Virtual Meetings

The challenges brought on by COVID-19 continue to affect education policy, and new questions are expected as the country moves towards more vaccinations and schools reopening. The NCSL Education Program is providing virtual meetings to equip legislators and staff with the information they need to address these concerns. These meetings will feature NCSL staff and outside experts. Information on upcoming meetings can be found below, and previous meeting recordings and resources will be posted here for future use.

These meetings are open to all legislators, legislative staff and NCSL partner organizations. Contact Emily Ronco for information on how to register.

Upcoming Meetings

Previous Meetings

Tackling Learning Gaps and Re-Engaging Students

• Assessing Learning Gaps | Monday, March 29, 2 p.m. ET | VIEW VIRTUAL MEETING
  • Session Resources
    • ETS
      • Returning to School After COVID-19: Understanding What Students Know and What They Need to Learn
      • What Can Teachers Do Now to Support Next Year's Teachers and Learners?
    • NWEA
      • Blog: Learning During COVID-19: Initial Research Findings and 4 Recommendations for Policymakers
      • Technical Brief: Comparability Analysis of Remote and In-Person MAP Growth Testing in Fall 2020
      • Research Brief: Learning During COVID-19: Initial Findings on Student's Reading and Math Achievement and Growth
      • Data Visualization: Learning During COVID-19: Initial Findings on Student's Reading and Math Achievement and Growth
      • Podcast: How Are Students Performing in the Wake of COVID-19?
    • Curriculum Associates
      • Research Brief: Overcoming the Digital Divide
      • Research Brief: Understanding Student Needs
      • Research Brief: What We've Learned about Unfinished Learning
      • Blog: "Learning Loss" versus "Unfinished Learning" and Why We Use Both
      • Diagnostic Data Reports: Research on Academic Achievement This Year
• Impact of Disrupted Learning | Wednesday, March 31, 11 a.m. ET | VIEW VIRTUAL MEETING
  • Session Resources
    • University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill: Equity Research Action Coalition
    • University of Oregon: Rapid Assessment of Pandemic Impact
    • Educare Learning Network
    • Learning Policy Institute: A Restorative Approach for Equitable Education
    • Learning Policy Institute: Supporting a Restorative Reopening of U.S. Schools
    • New America: How Should School Districts Spend Their Summer?
    • Excel Network: Summer Learning in Early Childhood
    • MDRC: Why Kindergarten Is Critical in the COVID-19 Recovery
• Re-engaging Learners | Thursday, April 1, 1 p.m. ET | VIEW VIRTUAL MEETING
  • Session Resources
    • AIR's The Science of Learning and Development in Afterschool BriefSystems and Settings
    • AIR's Putting the Science of Learning and Development in Practice Webpage
    • AIR’s Building Quality in Afterschool page 
    • NCSL's Quality Afterschool Programs Maximize Positive Outcomes LegisBrief
    • AIR's Recognizing the Role of Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs and Systems in Reopening and Rebuilding Brief
    • NSLA's State of Summer Learning: 2020 Summer Policy Snapshot
    • NSLA's Nov 2020 A Summer Like No Other: Lessons from the Field During COVID-19 Report 
    • RAND Corporation's The Promise of Summer as a Time for Teacher Professional Learning Report
    • NCSL’s Summer Learning Webpage
    • NCSL’s Afterschool Webpage
    • The Role Afterschool Plays in Keeping Kids Learning and Engaged 
• Virtual Boot Camp on Afterschool and Summer Learning| Monday, June 28, 2 p.m. ET  | VIEW VIRTUAL MEETING
  • Session Resources
    • NCSL's Reengaging Students with Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs Article
    • Afterschool Alliance's American After 3PM Report
    • The Evidence Base for Summer Enrichment and Comprehensive Afterschool Opportunities
    • Statewide Afterschool Networks Map
• Children's Mental Health and Learning: Assessing COVID-19 Impacts and Looking Ahead| Monday, July 26, 1 p.m. ET  | VIEW VIRTUAL MEETING
  • Session Resources
    • NCSL's Student Mental Health Legislative Trends Article
    • NCSL's Pandemic Takes Toll on Mental Health of Children and Their Caregivers Article

Additional Resources

• Education COVID-19 Virtual Meetings (2020)