Guest Post: Challenges and Gratitude in Opening P-12 Schools
By: Howard Bultinck, Professor & Chair, Literacy Leadership & Development, Northeastern Illinois University
I have been an educator for five decades. I have never seen or came close to anything like the nationwide challenge of opening schools in the Covid-19 environment.
Our forefathers did not address education in the U.S. Constitution. As such, each of the fifty states has that responsibility. There is a multitude of sophisticated educational practices in over 13,500 school districts in 50 states. Some states like Illinois have approximately 850 school districts, while others like Hawaii, have only one. The responsibility for opening a school resides with a local district. Still, it is significantly governed and/or influenced by the following:
The safety of children must be the number one priority. School administrators need to be knowledgeable of guidelines and rules released from the CDC, State Public Health Agencies, State Departments of Education, the U.S. Department of Education, the American Academy of Pediatrics, local agencies, and their own school districts. Many districts have formed local task forces to review all factors and make recommendations. Some areas of the country are exploding with the virus. In contrast, others like Illinois seem to have it somewhat under control. Local needs from large inner-city school districts will differ from small rural ones.
By one estimate, the cost to open schools nationally in the virus environment is $116.5 billion. Schools are funded by a variety of mechanisms from state to state. At the same time, the Federal government, on average, only contributes approximately 8% nationally. Illinois relies heavily on property taxes, which has dramatically exacerbated the opportunity divide and the district's ability to open schools safely. Federal and/or state assistance is undoubtedly needed.
The safety of all employees must be taken into consideration. Some employees will have underlying high-risk medical conditions, which makes them more susceptible to the virus. In contrast, others who are healthy may not want to return in the current environment. Unions are clearly involved in their members' working conditions, and the decision-making process of opening schools will be influenced by them. Employee safety must be considered as much as our students; districts must have a workforce to conduct in-person teaching. Substitute teachers are challenging to find in the best of times. They most certainly will be a considerable challenge to find during this pandemic. When districts are making plans to open schools, they must mitigate risk in such a way as to protect the workforce. Otherwise, there will be more quarantines and potential closure of classes and even schools.
Working parents and schools that serve so many essential meals to students must be factored into a local decision. Schools are much more today than just institutions of learning. They provide food, shelter, safety, and custodial care.
There is much about this virus and its transmission that we do not know, which makes for complications in designing the best strategies for in-person learning. With these unknowns, schools must balance the risks of their plans against the need to have stability in keeping schools open for a sustained time. Mitigating risk must be a priority.
School design plans will include masks and physical distancing, hand sanitizers, and other proper hygiene. Possible configurations may consist of full regular schedules, hybrid schedules (A/B rotations), online learning, and combinations. Ultimately giving parents choices will serve districts well as many parents struggle to have their children return to school. Many areas discuss hybrid attendance schedules coupled with online learning to reduce the number of children in the school. Busing of students has also become a major financial and logistical challenge for districts. Maintaining physical distancing on the bus and enforcing the wearing of face coverings will be critical issues to resolve.
Photo by August de Richelieu
Parents are struggling with what is best for their family and depend on schools to make the right decisions. Some are deciding whether or not to home school. So, given all this, what can parents do? Check with your local school/district for their plan for opening your local school. Some districts have announced plans, while others will do so soon. Whether you attend a public, private, parochial, or religious school, you will receive information soon. Parents, who have the option, may consider homeschooling until the unknowns become more known. If you are thinking of that option, you need to make plans for it now.
Until a vaccine is available, we will learn more but continue to face this life-altering challenge. Communities must work together as we all navigate this challenging pandemic. Whatever plan districts elect to implement will be our new reality and not a reflection of pre-pandemic conditions. As educators work around the clock to do their best, let's give our heartfelt thanks to our most deserving and honorable healthcare professionals. But also to the multitude of educators working day and night to open schools and make sure our children are educated, safe, and remain healthy.
