Here’s what a virtual school day will look like for CPS students this fall

When school starts next month for more than 300,000 CPS students, all classes will be held remotely, the district announced Wednesday.

Officials promised fall learning will be different from the spring, when remote learning systems were put into place virtually overnight, and CPS had trouble getting many students to log on for a very limited amount of live instruction.

“We learned a lot from our remote learning experience last spring,” CPS said in an Instagram post. “This fall, we are prepared to provide your children with a robust, high-quality education aligned to guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education.”

While CPS plans to release more details later this week, the district provided an overall structure that students working from home will follow.

One of the key differences will be teachers will be providing so-called synchronous instruction in which students and teachers are online at the same time.

“All CPS students will receive several hours of live instruction,” the district said in a written statement.

What’s more, teachers will be taking daily attendance and grading assignments. In the spring, teachers gave fewer grades and many gave credit to students simply for turning in homework.

How the school day will break down will vary depending on grade level, but CPS released a snapshot of how days will vary for elementary students and high school students.

High school students

CPS said students will maintain a normal schedule as much as possible.

Students will also be given breaks for lunch and between class periods.

Elementary students

Younger students will also have several hours of live instruction, and will also do small group activities and independent learning.

They are also going to be given short breaks throughout the day.

In an email to parents, CPS said final details will be sent out Friday. School staff will be given training on the plan later this month. Teachers return to school in late August, while students will return Sept. 8.

“Families should expect to receive our final reopening framework with detailed remote learning expectations this Friday,” the district said. “Later in the month, teachers and principals will receive specialized training and guidance on expectations for remote learning, and we will follow our remote learning plan through the end of the first quarter.”