Supporting Students to be Independent Learners: State and District Actions for the Pandemic Era

In May 2020, the Aspen Institute Education & Society Program shared ten recommended state actions for Fostering Connectedness in the Pandemic Era that were developed with a diverse group of education leaders. The pandemic and resulting closure of school buildings have revealed the deep inequities that already existed in many schools, and connectedness is one of those gaps. Data from school climate surveys demonstrates that students of color, English-learners, and students from low-income families do not feel safe at school, in part because they do not have the kind of caring, trusted relationships that create belonging – and in part because they do not feel challenged with meaningful, rigorous work.

With this in mind, and as a complement to the initial recommendations to advance social, emotional, and academic development, the Aspen Institute turned to another diverse set of leaders for actionable insights focused on culturally and linguistically responsive education.