Vallas: When Schools Reopen, It Will Be Our Responsibility to Make Sure It Happens Safely. Here Are 10 Key Steps to Follow
No parent wants to send their child back to school without feeling confident and secure. We have seen from past disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, the devastating consequences that can occur due to human mismanagement. In the case of Katrina, the neglect of the levees resulted in massive destruction and loss of life. This serves as a reminder that it is crucial for us to properly plan, design, and implement safety protocols in our schools to protect our most precious assets, our children. Additionally, schools now have the opportunity to create the necessary infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted instruction in the "new normal" brought on by COVID-19.
Immediate action is required. With school closures, more than 76 million American children are unable to receive normal instruction, with some not learning at all. Teachers are struggling to reach their students, particularly those who are most vulnerable, and many schools are realizing that their contact information for parents is outdated. Furthermore, teachers are attempting to provide online lessons despite not being adequately equipped or trained to do so, while also having to care for their own children at the same time.
Low-income children face additional challenges such as lack of access to meals provided at school, online learning resources, technology, and suitable home learning environments. Schools serve as safe havens for these children and provide crucial social services.
The Brookings Institution estimates that the education already lost during the coronavirus shutdown will result in American students earning approximately $33,500 less over the course of their careers, with marginalized communities being disproportionately affected.
If schools do not reopen on schedule in the fall, children will have effectively been out of class for five months. In Chicago, this comes after instructional time lost during a teacher strike in October. The absence of adequate instructional time and lengthy breaks in learning have a detrimental impact on students. Research shows that students in third to fifth grades already lose about 20 percent of their reading gains and 27 percent of their math gains during summer break. The longer the break, the more knowledge is lost and learning ability diminishes.
Despite the necessity, 44 states have closed their schools for the rest of the academic year. If schools do not take steps to prevent further disruptions next year and compensate for lost instructional time, the damage done to students may be irreversible.
Here are some important steps that should be taken:
1. Implement a school- or district-based COVID-19 public education and health campaign.
– This campaign should involve active and transparent communication to provide updates on public health, explain school procedures and protocols, notify schools of individuals showing COVID-19 symptoms, and promote healthy behavior in the community.
2. Establish school health-safety teams.
– Each school should have a team dedicated to health and safety. This team should report to the principal and be led by a nurse and/or retired physician. The team should be composed of individuals from the community, guided by the local health department.
3. Develop the capacity for school-based COVID-19 testing and tracking.
– Testing and temperature checks should be available at every school site for staff, students, and families if necessary. Schools should also be able to assist public health agencies in contact tracing. Priority should be given to testing school administrators and staff.
4. Implement strict quarantine procedures.
– Clear and enforceable quarantine protocols should be established for staff and students who test positive for COVID-19. This will allow students to remain connected to the classroom remotely. Considering that younger individuals are less likely to experience severe illness from the virus, older or medically vulnerable teachers can stay home while younger teachers and students return to school.
5. Enforce practical and comprehensive social distancing measures.
– Procedures should be put in place to ensure social distancing and minimize physical contact. This includes seating arrangements in classrooms, lunchrooms and common areas, physical education activities, classroom movement, and student testing. Split scheduling and blended learning, combining in-person and online instruction, can help reduce contact.
6. Assess and evaluate students to determine appropriate interventions.
– Regular assessments should be conducted to identify students who may require additional support or interventions to address any learning gaps that may have arisen during school closures.
7. Facilitate a summer semester of educational and engaging activities
It is crucial for schools to reopen during the summer and provide academic instruction, enrichment opportunities, and support to prevent further cognitive decline and deterioration of social and emotional well-being. These activities can be conducted through online and remote platforms as well.
8. Intensify efforts to ensure that every school offers high-quality remote learning and support
Schools should prioritize the development of remote learning platforms during the summer. This not only ensures the continuity of education, but also allows for increased learning time, expanded educational options, extended academic and social-emotional interventions, and additional support for teachers.
9. Enhance teacher training and support on relevant topics
Schools should carefully choose their remote learning strategies, access available resources for remote learning, and provide teachers and instructional support staff with training and guidance on effectively utilizing these tools.
10. Ensure a reliable and supportive technological infrastructure
Identify students who lack access to the internet and/or necessary devices, and determine the most suitable devices and plans for them. Find the best internet options for students without home access and provide them with hotspots where needed.
Implementing personalized instruction and support programs, expanding high-quality educational choices, and increasing instructional learning time are crucial in navigating the challenges of the pandemic and preparing schools for future public health emergencies or other unforeseen disruptions. These actions are also essential in promoting educational equity and closing opportunity gaps. None of these opportunities should be wasted. Hard work is necessary everywhere.
This is a matter of leadership. The necessary models and technology already exist to achieve the goals mentioned above, and there are resources available if they are effectively prioritized. The CARES stimulus package included an 80 percent increase in federal funding for education through the Title I distribution formula. There are positive prospects for a second round of funding, as well as the continuation of the $4 billion federal e-rate program and Medicaid reimbursements for medical-related services and support for low-income students. If resources are managed correctly, parents should be able to send their children back to schools that operate differently but fulfill their core function better than before.
Paul Vallas served as the CEO of the Chicago Public Schools and The Public Schools of Philadelphia, and as the superintendent of the Recovery School District in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina.
