This year, widespread school closures due to the coronavirus pandemic have required almost all high-performing systems to implement distance learning to ensure that students continue learning. This document summarizes some initial takeaways from their experiences implementing distance learning in primary and secondary schools. Findings show that top-performing jurisdictions: (1) Were initially better positioned than the U.S. to quickly implement distance learning; (2) Increased capacity in this area since the start of distance learning; and (3) Responded rapidly to new challenges raised by distance learning. The paper also looks toward the future, as jurisdictions worldwide reflect on what they learned during this year's distance learning experiment and consider the role of online and in-person schooling in the fall and beyond.