HEADlines | Resilience and rebound in COVID times | Head Foundation Singapore on Glue Up

Issue 45: 15 December 2020

Every week, HEADlines brings you the latest news, stories and commentaries

in education and healthcare. This week, get insights on the latest developments

in education.

Resilience and rebound in COVID times

In a year ravaged by the pandemic, schools and educational systems have seen their fair share of setbacks and difficulties. Hybrid teaching models are still not ideal, placing great strain on teachers, while exacerbating learning gaps among students, particularly along socio-economic lines.

Yet some education departments have met the new normal with resilience. A music programme in New Mexico State University used panty hose and trash bags to continue in-person band practice. The ‘Fauci Effect’ in the United States has also seen record number of applicants to medical schools. With vigilant contact tracing and strict social distancing measures, some colleges are even confident enough to bring back more students come January.

As the global health situation evolves, we observe with keen interest the evolution of education systems around the world as they strive to place learning and student welfare at the forefront amidst rapid changes.

Education in the Spotlight

The New York Times: Reopening schools before a children's vaccine

Young kids are very unlikely to die from COVID-19, and do not pose a high risk of infecting others, compared to adults. Experts propose that having adults in the school community vaccinated may be enough to reopen elementary schools.

The Hechinger Report: How to raise enrolment in higher education? Go rural.

Two non-profits, Ayers and rootED, are demonstrating how barriers to higher education in rural America can be overcome with effective personalised guidance.

Channel News Asia: PSLE Scores and the problem with the late bloomer narrative

Some people might never bloom at all, at least according to society’s standards. But in a performance-driven society, so what? Does being “average” constitute a moral failing?

The Straits Times: Alumni networks worsen inequality. Here's one way to improve them.

Established schools leverage on a well-connected alumni network to connect students with opportunities. Could this be a persistent factor in hindering equity in post-schooling opportunities across schools?

The Washington Post: An argument for giving kids open-book tests during the pandemic (and after)

Open-book testing can be the remedy to rampant cheating in online tests and remote learning methods. Its merits however, extend well beyond pandemic measures to continue learning.

The Guardian: Teaching climate crisis in classrooms critical for children, top educators say

Letter from two former US education secretaries urges president-elect Joe Biden to offer students in public schools routine lessons on the threats posed by global heating.

Columbia University: Columbia's Climate School gets its first degree programme

The M.A. Program in Climate and Society will be the first degree programme offered through Columbia University's Climate School, the first new school of the university in 25 years.

A Handbook for Educators

Unmasked: Educational Leaders in a Crisis

This concise and informative handbook brings together ideas discussed during The HEAD Foundation's Webinar Series: Educational Leadership in a Crisis. We hope this handbook will inspire and guide school leaders in Southeast Asia, who are all grappling with the challenges of disruptions to education due to the ongoing pandemic.

In addition to case studies and tips on improving the well-being of students and teachers, the handbook also covers topics such as: how to engage with your community, empower school staff, nurture students and leverage on technology.

Download now

That's all for the week!

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