How Laurel Magnet School of the Arts Pivoted to Effective, Equitable Distance Learning

By Kiana Pendleton

As Principal of Laurel Magnet School of the Arts (LMSA) in Laurel, Mississippi, I made it a priority to act quickly, communicate consistently, and provide a clear vision throughout the coronavirus pandemic. When our district closed school buildings in mid-March, we immediately refocused on designing a distance learning plan that preserved instructional quality while ensuring equity for every student.

Organizing the Transition to Distance Learning

The first step was rallying our teachers. Our staff are the driving force behind any instructional change, and their swift buy-in made the shift possible. I worked to make sure teachers understood our distance-learning framework and objectives, and that they felt confident using the tools available to them. Thanks to that collaboration, we planned a month of instruction in just a few days.

Ensuring equitable access was next. We uploaded curriculum materials to Google Drive and posted directions and resources on our school’s Facebook page and school website so families could easily find what they needed. To maintain familiar routines, we leaned on existing computer-based programs already in use by students and families. For households without reliable internet access or technology, we prepared printed materials and organized curbside pick-up. Those combined efforts produced immediate results: early participation climbed to roughly 90–95 percent, and we gained strong community support.

Maintaining Academic Rigor and an “A” Rating

Keeping academic rigor during remote instruction is challenging, but we held firm to standards-aligned materials. We continued using the Ready print curriculum alongside i-Ready online instruction for math and language arts to preserve continuity and alignment with standards. While monitoring student progress outside the classroom is harder, i-Ready’s data dashboards gave us actionable information. We set expectations for students to spend 30–45 minutes per subject with an 80 percent mastery threshold on online lessons. That data allowed teachers to follow up individually through phone calls or video chats when students needed more support.

Strategies to Strengthen Future Distance Learning

With uncertainty about how long remote instruction might continue, we focused on building teacher leadership and planning proactively. Preparing for extended virtual learning requires scalable systems, flexible leadership, and a commitment to keeping education engaging. Below are key strategies we implemented to make distance learning sustainable and student-centered.

• Set clear expectations. Teachers were briefed on our online instructional plan and what success looks like. Clear expectations help teachers perform well and give parents a reliable sense of what to support at home.
• Be organized and consistent. Families need predictability. We structured each week around a single-subject focus each day—“Bookwork Monday,” “MC Squared Tuesday,” “W.O.W. (Working on Writing) Wednesday,” “Creative Thursday” focused on the arts, and “Finish Strong Friday.” A simple, written weekly plan made remote learning easier to follow.
• Engage with parents regularly. Regular communication is essential. We use our Facebook page, the school website, district updates, and our student information system to share updates, celebrate progress, and remind families of expectations. Multiple communication channels help reach the varied needs of our community.
• Preserve school culture and climate. The spirit of the school can follow students into virtual spaces. I continued daily morning announcements—now livestreamed on Facebook Live—and highlighted “i-Ready Rockstars” each Monday. Parents enjoyed sharing photos of scholars learning at home, which strengthened engagement and morale.
• Foster school spirit and community activities. We organized events like School Spirit Week, Virtual Bingo, and themed recognitions such as Medical Monday to honor local health workers. These activities kept students and families connected and provided moments of joy during difficult times.
• Make interactions personal. While digital communication is efficient, phone calls remain invaluable. They allow teachers and leaders to connect more deeply, demonstrate compassion, and assess needs that may not be evident through online platforms alone.
• Prevent learning loss. Our goal is to maintain high academic standards and avoid the typical summer slide or regression. We continued accelerating instruction when possible and providing targeted remediation using instructional technology to assess progress and plan next steps.

Looking ahead, the timeline for reopening school buildings remains uncertain. We are planning summer enrichment options while realistically preparing for delays or a hybrid model that blends in-person and remote instruction. Consistency, clear communication, and a thorough approach to instruction will be essential whether students return fully, partially, or continue learning remotely. By remaining proactive and student-centered, we can ensure learning continues without missing a beat.

About the Author

Dr. Kiana Pendleton is Principal at Laurel Magnet School of the Arts in Laurel School District, Mississippi. She was selected as the Laurel School District’s Administrator of the Year and has been named a finalist by the Mississippi Department of Education for the Fourth Congressional District selection process for Mississippi Administrator of the Year.

Under Dr. Pendleton’s leadership, together with dedicated students, teachers, staff, and parents, LMSA rose from a B to an A on the 2018–19 state accountability results—the highest rating the school has seen in more than a decade. “I could not have received this honor without my teachers, staff, students, parents and my family,” Pendleton said. “I have an amazing team who is supportive, talented and as enthusiastic about teaching and learning as I am.”

Note: This article was originally published by The Learning Counsel, a research institute and news media organization focused on the shift to digital curriculum and modern educational practices.