Children and Education

Creating Robust Learning Experiences During the Pandemic

The firm represented the Maplewood-South Orange Parents Group in advocating with the local school district to improve its education plan for students during the pandemic. The initial plan gave teachers discretion as to how often they would provide live instruction to students participating in their classes remotely. Parents were concerned about the lack of uniformity and the insufficient opportunities for students to interact with their teachers and classmates.

The firm worked with parent leaders in the district to draft a fair plan for remote learning. After a series of negotiations, the parents group obtained a commitment from the district that its remote/hybrid learning plan for the 2020-21 school year would include live instruction (whether in person or via a virtual platform) to every student for at least one hour every school day. The district also implemented technology that will allow it to monitor each teacher’s compliance with this live-learning requirement. This plan will help ensure that children continue to receive the benefits of an interactive learning environment, while protecting their health and safety.