To say that the coronavirus pandemic is one of the most significant disruptions our education system has ever faced is hardly an understatement. Back in March, without a warning, 50 million students were shut out of school buildings and asked to engage in new modes of learning. Now, with less than a month left of school in many districts, students, parents, and educators are wondering what school will look like in the fall. Will the once familiar routine of taking the bus to school at 8:00 AM and back home at 3:00 PM return? Will students be eating in the cafeteria—or at their kitchen table?

On this episode of The Report Card, Nat Malkus speaks with former Tennessee Commissioner of Education and current National Institute for Excellence in Teaching CEO Candice McQueen, as well as AEI resident scholar and director of education policy studies Rick Hess, about what it will take to reopen schools in the fall. McQueen and Hess, co-authors of AEI’s recently released “Blueprint for Back to School,” weigh in on the many considerations that school leaders should keep in mind when drafting back-to-school plans, from staffing to assessments to transportation.

We hope you enjoyed this episode of The Report Card, part of the AEI Podcast Network. For more episodes of The Report Card, find us on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts. This episode was first released on May 18, 2020.