You might be thinking that there is a national effort to track how schools are reopening in person so we can reopen as many as possible safely.
There is not.
Betsy DeVos dropped the ball on this and @SenWarren and I are pushing back. Here's how. [THREAD]
There is not.
Betsy DeVos dropped the ball on this and @SenWarren and I are pushing back. Here's how. [THREAD]
Quick background: Last week, Betsy DeVos was asked why a national system doesn't exist. Her response?
“I'm not sure there's a role at the department to collect and compile that research.”
The dewonkified translation: “I don’t believe in doing it."
“I'm not sure there's a role at the department to collect and compile that research.”
The dewonkified translation: “I don’t believe in doing it."
This position is good news for DeVos, she gets to do less work. For everyone else, it means we’re in the dark about outbreaks in schools and best practices to reopening safely.
@SenWarren and I are on the same page about this, so let’s talk how to make this situation better.
@SenWarren and I are on the same page about this, so let’s talk how to make this situation better.
To start with, let's start tracking how many cases are linked to schools and what safeguards schools are putting in place to reopen.
That means coordinating with state and local governments to help with the great work that many are already doing.
That means coordinating with state and local governments to help with the great work that many are already doing.
This also means creating national reporting standards so it is possible to make comparisons.
Think how much easier it would be for your kids’ school to make decisions if they knew what health protocols work best and could compare their situation with others across the country.
Think how much easier it would be for your kids’ school to make decisions if they knew what health protocols work best and could compare their situation with others across the country.
If this sounds like an obvious step to you, that's because it is.
Check out what @SenWarren and I wrote to DeVos, you can read our full letter at the link below. It explains what all this means in more detail:
smithsenate.box.com/shared/static/…
Check out what @SenWarren and I wrote to DeVos, you can read our full letter at the link below. It explains what all this means in more detail:
smithsenate.box.com/shared/static/…
As far as I see it, DeVos has a choice here, she can choose to do her job or not.
If she wants schools to reopen in person safely, then she should be working with the Education Department to make it happen. Anything else is an abdication of duty.
If she wants schools to reopen in person safely, then she should be working with the Education Department to make it happen. Anything else is an abdication of duty.
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