Immediate Release

AT&T Underwrites SETDA eLearning Coalition Amidst COVID-19 Virus

March 13, 2020 (Washington, D.C.) As school districts across the United States face potential school closings related to the COVID-19 virus, the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is launching the SETDA Coalition for eLearning. The coalition, underwritten by AT&T, will compile and provide resources on eLearning for state education agencies and school districts at no cost.

“In preparation for the likely disruption in learning from the COVID19 virus, it is essential that we collaborate to provide best practices and a framework to ensure students can continue learning away from brick and mortar schools,” said Candice Dodson, executive director of SETDA. “With AT&T’s support, we hope to spark innovation around eLearning related to the COVID19 virus, inevitable inclement weather and other disruptive events.”

“Providing students and educators with a mechanism to continue learning during uncertain times is critical to our nation’s wellbeing,” said Dr. Jennifer McCormick, Indiana’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Expanding access with the support of partnerships allows for this experience. I commend the schools, businesses, and organizations working hard to continue educating our children.”

Resources for school districts include:

• Communication tools for state, district and school stakeholders
• Examples of state and district policies and practices for eLearning days
• Access to partner solutions including options for home access
• An aggregation of digital content and lesson
• District pilot examples
• Resources for teaching on line
• Considerations for special education students

Over the next two years, SETDA will collaborate with partners to continue building the online tool. Learn more about the publicly available resources at SETDA.org.

Join the launch Webinar, Strategies for eLearning Days in the Wake of COVID-19 Tuesday, March 17, 2020 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm EDT by edWeb to learn more.

SETDA is also hosting a free, edWeb online community of practice, Essential Elements for eLearning to provide policy makers, school administrators and educators a central location to share and learn from one another about  policies and practices related to online learning, digital content, and eLearning days.

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About the State Educational Technology Directors Association
The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA), founded in 2001, is the national non-profit association representing the interests of U.S. state and territorial educational technology leadership. SETDA’s mission is to build and increase the capacity of state and national leaders to improve education through technology policy and practice. For more information, please visit www.SETDA.org.