Pooled COVID-19 testing in schools? Here’s what to know before diving in

Enabling K-12 schools to reopen for in-person learning is a priority for many teachers, administrators, parents, communities, and governments. But health and safety–both for students and school employees–is a top concern. Just as with the general population, regular COVID-19 testing can help identify cases early, even among asymptomatic individuals.

President Biden recently launched the National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness. This program provides funds for COVID-19 testing for teachers, staff, and students in an effort to create a safer return-to-school environment at no cost to parents or the school system. And best practices suggest that pooled testing on a weekly basis can create an easy-to-implement, safe environment that lets teachers and kids put the focus back on education.

So, what is pooled testing and what do school administrators and teachers need to know? Before you dive in, here’s everything you need to know about pooled testing.…Read More

Aperture Education Creates Online Social and Emotional Learning Professional Development Program for Educators

EdSERT Digital provides online resources to help educators enhance their own social and emotional skills and teaching practices

Charlotte N.C. (April 20, 2021) — Aperture Education has launched EdSERT Digital, an online version of its paper-based social and emotional professional development program for educators. The EdSERT (short for Educator Social-Emotional Reflection and Training) digital program will be available to educators in July 2021. More information can be found at www.edsert.com

Aperture created the EdSERT program to support the social and emotional skills and teaching practices of educators. It provides a comprehensive set of research-based and practical resources for K-12 teachers and out-of-school time program staff to increase their knowledge about SEL, guide them to reflect on and build their existing SEL skills and practices in the classroom, and ultimately enable them to more effectively promote the SEL skills of their students.…Read More