A Thread (Part 2) Regarding the Reopening of Schools: It’s clear that NO plan is desirable. We are in a pandemic. Nothing will be easy. However, there ARE plans that do not include putting millions of children and adults at risk, so let’s talk about those. 1/13
Instead of wasting precious time planning for multiple models (when we know that we will all have to be going remote at multiple points anyway as entire classrooms/schools are forced to quarantine) let’s commit to remote learning NOW. 2/13
Instead of waiting to see what happens, let’s spend this time investing in professional development for teachers. Give them the the tools they need to be successful with remote learning. Give them time to collaborate, rethink curriculum and plan for remote learning. 3/13
Last spring, most teachers were sent home on Friday and expected to be ready for distance learning on Monday. That was an impossible task that every teacher showed up to. Give them the tools NOW to make this task possible for them in the fall. 4/13
Suspend standardized testing (since they only hold to students to arbitrary grade level standards that we created anyway) and use the millions of dollars spent writing, implementing, and scoring these tests to make remote learning accessible for ALL students. 5/13
Fund technology. Start implementing wifi hotspots NOW. Start purchasing and distributing up-to-date devices NOW for each student (not just household). Allow students time with these devices PRIOR to their success in school being dependent on their ability to navigate them. 6/13
Stop funneling PPP funds to billionaires and invest in families. Support them so they can support our children. Provide incentives for businesses to have workers stay home with their families whenever possible. Financially support essential workers with dependents. 7/13
Invest money back into our neglected unemployment agencies which are understaffed and using outdated technology. It’s no wonder so many are still waiting on their unemployment benefits, and unable to pay rent, buy essentials, and are facing evictions. 8/13
Start properly funding public education. When our students, teachers and staff CAN return safely, they will need A LOT of support. Ensure enough money is poured into schools to ensure small class sizes, and that classroom supplies are funded by schools instead of teachers. 9/13
Equip them with enough social workers, nurses, guidance counselors and school psychologists to support the emotional transition back to school and beyond. Start paying educators a livable wage so that they can show up for their students instead of their two other jobs. 10/13
Also, stop basing a majority of school funding on property and locally raised taxes. The perpetual systemic inequities this creates are part of the problem. Reimagine systems in order to fund schools equitably across districts and states. 11/13
Find a secretary of education who has BEEN a public educator. Or at the very least, went to public schools, sent their children to public schools, & is invested in strengthening our public schools, instead of subverting public education with budget cuts & voucher programs. 12/13
And finally, wear a mask. If you want the economy to reopen, this is probably the easiest thing you can be doing and it will have a huge impact. Wear a mask, flatten the curve, give medical personnel a fighting chance to support their patients, and do your part. 13/13
