Lesson Plans: Rural schools grapple with COVID-19

As school districts throughout the country confront how to safely educate students in the midst of a global pandemic, rural districts face unique challenges. Issues such as diminished resources, inequities based on race, transportation and inadequate access to broadband are exacerbated in these communities, whether instruction is delivered in classrooms, online or a combination of both. Members of the Institute for Nonprofit News are examining how COVID-19 is changing the 2020-21 school year, paying particular attention to the disproportionate impacts on Spanish-speaking communities, Native American communities and people who live in poverty.

Participating newsrooms are Charlottesville Tomorrow, El Paso Matters, Iowa Watch, The Nevada Independent, New Mexico in Depth, Underscore News/Pamplin Media Group and Wisconsin Watch/The Badger Project.

This collaboration was made possible by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation.

El Paso Matters

Rural border schools face unique challenges during the pandemic

Published on August 17, 2020

New Mexico In Depth

Using tech and circuit riding to beat the pandemic

Published on August 24, 2020

Underscore News/Pamplin Media Group

Battling a COVID backslide in Central Oregon schools (1st of 3)

Published on August 27, 2020

Underscore News/Pamplin Media Group

Closing the graduation gap in Jefferson County's schools (2nd of 3)

Published on August 27, 2020

Underscore News/Pamplin Media Group

Oregon’s mandatory distance learning puts pressure on families (3rd of 3)

Published on August 27, 2020

Charlottesville Tomorrow

COVID-19 pressures Orange schools to increase routes

Published on October 19, 2020

Wisconsin Watch

Wisconsin schools ‘whipsawing’ as COVID-19 hits rural districts

Published on October 20, 2020

Underscore News/Pamplin Media Group

Amid technical and logistical challenges, Warm Springs parents struggle to connect

Published on October 21, 2020

Underscore News/Pamplin Media Group

Working Through Challenges in Rural Oregon

Published on January 8, 2021

The Nevada Independent

In a small rural school reside big hopes for Nevada's Native students

Published on January 11, 2021