As the COVID-19 virus impacts 56 million million students across Arizona and the U.S., a national education advocacy group has launched an initiative to promote policies to help students continue to succeed, including creating more small and “micro schools.” 

The non-profit Yes Every Kid organization is encouraging lawmakers and education leaders to rethink what will provide parents and teachers more flexibility and options this upcoming school year and beyond, said Becky Hill, the group’s western regional director.   

“We want to present information about what great opportunities there are during this time to use these small learning communities that are not only safe but are great for providing an individualized learning experience,” Hill said. “Pandemic or no, it’s key to make sure every student has a good experience and uses their learning potential.”

COVID-19 Playbook for educational success 

The non-profit has launched the COVID-19 , Opportunity in Crisis, to present ideas and solutions to parents, school leaders and lawmakers that are designed to help students continue to learn despite ongoing disruptions.

Among the recommendations are more funding and opportunities for students to attend smaller schools, micro schools and community organization programs for credit in a  “learn everywhere” model, Hill said. 

Micro-schools are typically considered small neighborhood schools that enroll fewer than 10 children. They can take place within public and private schools, community organizations like a Boys and Girls club, home settings, and even at employer spaces.   

Also called  “pandemic pods,” there has been a surge in parents seeking out or forming their own small schools and pooling money and resources to hire full-time teachers and tutors to come in and work directly with students. 

In Arizona, a leader in school choice, micro schools have been growing in popularity in recent years. The non-profit Black Mothers Forum in Phoenix, for example, helps families form their own pods in partnership with public schools. The Self Development Academy chain of charter schools in the Phoenix region partners with child care facilities to offer more options for families. 

Learn everywhere model 

One of the tenets promoted by the initiative is to make education more flexible to address each student’s unique needs. For example, a student might take online classes in the morning at home and in the afternoon take music or fine arts classes for credit at a community organization, Hill said. 

“I think it’s really important that we create opportunities for learning to happen wherever it is and not limit ourselves to think everything has to happen on a campus or at home alone in the living room,” Hill said.

Arizona leader in innovative options 

Many of the policies recommended by the group already are part of Arizona’s educational landscape. Gov. Doug Ducey has used the state’s discretionary funding to bolster innovative educational approaches, Hill said. 

Among the group’s recommendations are more discretionary dollars for governors to address specific needs in their states, Hill said. This would provide quicker access to funds for families to obtain school supplies and hire tutors and educators to supplement parents who are struggling at home. 

For many states, the biggest challenge is funding, Hill said. The organization is calling on governments, including the federal government, to provide funding to make more options available like quality online instruction and after-school enrichment for students who need it most. That includes funding for families who don’t have the financial resources to create their own learning pods. 

“What we’d really like to see is our congressional delegations across all states to come together with additional dollars for learning for families,” Hill said. 

Yes Every Kid is an initiative affiliated with , a non-profit funded by Charles Koch to address issues like poverty, education and immigration.

With all the problems facing Americans right now, finding common ground among diverse groups on hot button issues like school funding is one of the organization’s goals Stand Together CEO Brian Hooks told reporters.

Hooks stated that the group wants to move beyond the “’us versus them’ framing in K-12.” 

“Let’s clear the decks and the conversation, and let’s focus on what really matters. To my mind, that is, every student, every kid,” Hooks said. “This is framed as private versus public, teacher versus student, parent versus administrator. And that’s not productive. All of those people in their hearts, they want their kids to succeed.” 

For a complete list of the group’s recommendations, go to:

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K12, Inc., which operates online schools in Arizona and other states, is offering free education tools for parents, teachers, students and schools during COVID-19. 

In fact, anyone can access free curriculum like an interactive reading program, a large digital library and a learning game platform that focuses on math and language skills, said Megan Sandoval, senior vice president of School Services. 

Free online summer school and boot camps are starting soon, too. 

“With school closures happening across the state, we wanted to offer our expertise for anyone who needs it, whether that is whole districts, schools, teachers, or parents,” Sandoval said. “Virtual learning can work. It can be successful and it solves the need to continue education and connection through the current pandemic.”

Free curriculum, summer programs and teacher training

Among the free programs offered for students, parents and teachers are:

Big Universe

This K-12 digital literary solutions program provides access to more than 17,000 leveled eBooks and balanced literacy tools that are available 24/7 on any device. The interactive platform has reading practice opportunities, such as read-alouds, guided reading, interactive writing, writing workshops, and reading workshops. Learn more at: .

Stride

A digital game-based learning program for preschool through 8th grade. Stride includes game-based learning in math, reading, language arts, and science that is accessible 24/7 on tablets, PCs, and Macs. Stride delivers video games as a reward for completing academic tasks. Learn more at: .��

Summer school and boot camps

Through its Destinations Career Academy, K12 is also offering free programs and boot camps for students in 8th through 11th grade starting in June. Middle and high school students can explore high-demand career fields with an online course in business, healthcare, or IT and receive 0.5 high school elective credit. Two, two-week coding boot camps are also being offered free where students get to take part in an eSports tournament. For more information, go to: .��

Free webinars for parents, educators 

To help parents and educators, K12 has put together a collection of webinars and other content to offer teaching and other tips to help anyone transition to a virtual classroom. Learn more at: .

Free online guidance for schools and districts 

With 20 years of online education under its belt, the company also is offering a free month of access for public and private schools and districts to assist them in moving to  virtual teaching and curriculum. 

“Many districts are trying to figure out how to make that transition that we made quite a while ago,” Sandoval said. 

Through its Fuel Education program, K12 offers digital curriculum, technology, instruction, and support directly to school districts. To learn more about the complimentary 30 days to get students and platforms up and running, go to: . 

Pandemic increasing curiosity about remote learning 

Sandoval said that the pandemic has resulted in a flurry of calls from parents, particularly in states like Washington, the first state hit by COVID-19. Since then, it has spread to all 50 states.

“Our enrollment center is getting a lot of calls and they are different than they used to be,” Sandoval said. “The calls very much do reference the pandemic and fears that families have that their students may be getting behind and they are looking for options.”

“Some are hedging their bets — if schools open or not, whether they will go back or not.”

Virtual public schools in Arizona for all students 

For parents in Arizona considering online options for next fall, K12, Inc. operates three virtual tuition-free public schools:

Destinations Career Academy at Insight Academy of Arizona 

For grades 9-12, the online academy combines traditional high school academics with industry-relevant, career-focused electives to give students a jump-start on their college and career goals. While working toward their high school diplomas, students can choose from a variety of courses in high-demand career fields: business and health & human services. Arizona-certified teachers provide live online instruction. Students participate in career-oriented clubs, gain workplace skills, and prepare to take industry-recognized certification exams in their chosen career path upon graduation. 

Arizona Virtual Academy 

This K-12 is geared toward students who perform at or above their grade level and are seeking to be challenged academically. Students in grades 4-12 can combine online learning with a structured classroom environment at six blended learning centers around the state. The staff promotes a positive outlook for the future and provides college and career guidance.

Insight Academy of Arizona 

Insight focuses on students’ academic and personal wellbeing. It serves students in grades 7-12 who are performing below their current grade level, are not on track to graduate, and require social or emotional support. Credit recovery courses, trimester scheduling, and social and emotional learning programs help address students’ academic challenges. Other programs provide support for families. Students can combine online learning with a structured classroom environment at six blended learning centers around the state. Students can also prepare for college or career through guidance services and internships. 

More about K12, Inc.

K12, Inc. offers online learning for students worldwide. The company offers three options: tuition-free online public school, tuition-based online private school, and individual online courses from the K12 curriculum.For more information about K12 the programs it is offering during the pandemic, visit:

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