BU Wheelock has been retained by the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education (MBAE) to develop a database comparing Massachusetts school district teaching and learning plans during disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Massachusetts School District Continuity of Learning Plans 2020–21 project, which is being led by BU Wheelock associate professors Marcus A. Winters and Joshua Goodman, BU Wheelock doctoral students Lindsey Kaler and Katie Meyer, and a team of BU Wheelock undergraduate students, will compare how schools and districts are meeting students’ academic and social and emotional needs, and supporting parents and teachers.

“Until now, we have had little systematic data to help us understand how schools are helping students continue to learn during this pandemic,” says Goodman. “Our hope is this database helps us all make better decisions for the children of Massachusetts.”

The information in the database is taken from school reopening plans submitted by districts to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, as well as updates the districts have provided on their website or through social media. More districts will be added, and updates will be made throughout the winter and spring.

“The database provides parents, community leaders, and state policymakers with a fact base on which to have important conversations about how we can keep students on track during these turbulent and challenging times,” said MBAE Executive Director Ed Lambert. “While we recognize the uniqueness of these current circumstances and the tremendous effort being made by educators and policy leaders to address the disruption to learning, we believe that sharing data and information can help improve the quality and effectiveness of strategies to meet the needs of students.”

MBAE was established in 1988 and represents employers committed to ensuring every student in Massachusetts receives a high quality education that prepares them for success in college, career, and citizenship.