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Policymaker

This report shares final findings from this independent study of Illinois' Learning Renewal - SEL initiative starting in September 2022 through December 2025.
This infographic highlights findings from more than 100 interviews with regional leaders and SEL coaches.
This infographic highlights features of schools' participation in the Illinois Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Hubs and associated outcomes.
This report collects insights from practitioners, policymakers, and researchers on the necessary steps that must be taken to prepare for future education disruptions.
This infographic tracks cohorts of students from before the pandemic to where they are now in the aftermath of the disruption.
This infographic outlines the major markers and milestones of the pandemic, including when students were learning remotely or in-person.
This infographic identifies six stages of disruption response that can support leaders in planning for future emergencies.

As the RESTART Network concludes its work, it’s a fitting moment to reflect on the journey, the lessons learned, and the enduring questions that shape our understanding of education recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We began this journey amid the volatility of the K-12 education system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It amazes me how quickly we seem to forget that in March 2020 we experienced the beginning of a global pandemic. The K-12 education systems throughout the country closed and then moved to remote learning.  

And thus began our journey learning how to operate a public K-12 education system in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

When the RESTART Network launched in early 2023, efforts to conduct pandemic-recovery related research were underway across the country. But, these efforts were often siloed, making it difficult to identify clear evidence related to what worked (or didn’t) to improve pandemic recovery. As we discussed what could make the RESTART Network different, we dedicated ourselves to breaking down silos and ensuring that our research reached policymakers and practitioners.