MISD working on return to learn plans
by Robyn Ireland [email protected] · June 4th, 2020


Both Linn-Mar and Marion Independent school districts are in the midst of organizing their Return-to-Learn plans for the Iowa Department of Education. However, it's not as easy as it sounds. Both schools have to put together the following:

1. A plan for continuous learning: this can be used in a time of emergency, such as the resurgence of COVID-19, or under another circumstance in which it is not possible for students to be in the building receiving instruction. This plan is the only one that will be either approved or denied by the department.

2. A plan for hybrid learning: this is where services are offered both remotely and at physical school locations. It allows for physical distancing while partially reopening school buildings to provide educational services.

3. A plan for on-site learning: Public health officials must deem it safe and the school has actively planned for appropriate health and safety measures for students to fully return to physical buildings and school facilities.

The document the state provided, outlining what was expected to be in the above plans, was 40 pages long. The Return-to-Learn plans are due to the Department of Education by July 1.

Necessitated by the current

coronavirus pandemic and uncertainty of how that will play out in the coming months. Among the many challenges facing school districts in the 2020-2021 school year are:

Ensuring that remote learning options are available for all students

Planning to help students catch-up for the learning they may have missed during school closures

Integrating public health strategies into Iowa's schools

Enabling schools to move between on-site and remote learning as needed and

Helping the Department and our partners at Iowa's area education agencies understand how best to support schools.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has given permission for public and non-private schools to start classes before the original August 23 date, but only if the extended time period is part of the Return-to-Learn Plan submitted to the state. A typical school year is required to have 180 days or 1,080 hours of instructional time. If a district chooses to start before August 23, they can either move days/hours from the 2019-2020 calendar and add them to 2020-2021(subject to contract negotiations), or they may fund additional days/hours prior to August 23.