Policy and Planning in the Midst of Crisis: Supporting Student Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• In Event: Reform — By Any Means Necessary: The Diverse Phases of Change

Abstract

As the COVID-19 crisis introduced major disruptions to schooling across California, later recovery efforts to ensure educational continuity included the adoption of Senate Bill 98, which mandated all districts to complete Learning Continuity and Attendance Plans (LCPs) for 2020-21. These plans act as critical snapshots of both sensemaking and educational planning in the midst of crisis; however, little is known about the overall trends detailed in LCPs. Therefore, this qualitative analysis explores how state policy guided local planning, proffering a comprehensive review of who and what was centered in decision-making in an environment altered by crisis. Preliminary results reveal emergent themes across access, quality, and well-being, indicating a deep-seated intent to support students holistically during a time fraught with unknowns.

Author

• Alexandria M. Hurtt, University of California - Davis