By Meghan Donahue
Rooms packed with desks. Shared textbooks. Stressed teachers. These are all-too familiar realities in thousands of schools across the United States, many of which are functioning over their intended capacity [5]. Funding for public education has long been a contentious issue at the local, state, and federal level. Though student populations have increased, many states have not increased their funding to keep up; this is partly a result of the 2008 recession, and reductions in funding that were made during that time [4]. As schools across the nation plan for starting a new school year amidst a worsening global pandemic, however, the true inadequacy of their funding has become abundantly clear.
A common result of a lack of school funding is large class sizes. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, the average elementary class size is about 21 students, and secondary about 27 [5]. In the age of COVID-19, this poses a significant health risk; overcrowded schools provide little opportunity for social distancing. After all, how can 30 students stay six feet apart in a room only designed for 18? While there are several alternatives available, none are a perfect solution. Most, if not all available options include remote learning in some capacity; this comes with a myriad of challenges. Some students may not have reliable internet access, or a device capable of running the necessary software. Virtual learning can be particularly difficult for those with disabilities. Platforms or content may not be accessible to those with visual or hearing impairments [1], and the format can be less than ideal for those with cognitive disabilities [2]. Accommodations such as those found in IEPs and 524 plans can be difficult to implement in a virtual setting.. Remote learning can also cause or exacerbate mental and emotional health issues in children [3].
Along with having a learning curve for students and educators, this also comes with challenges for families. Whether in split sessions or a complete shift to online instruction, virtual learning presents a challenge to those parents and caregivers who work outside the home. Children may need to be picked up from school at unconventional times, normal after-school activities will likely be reduced or eliminated, and young children learning at home will need supervision. All of these factors will need to be carefully considered and addressed, to ensure that in addition to keeping people safe, the needs of students, families, and educators are being met this school year.
There is no telling what will happen in the next several weeks as the pandemic continues to evolve, and school reopening plans develop. One thing, however, is for certain: it will be a school year unlike any we have seen before.
Works Cited
[1] Alsadoon, Elham, and Maryam Turkestani. “Virtual Classrooms for Hearing-Impaired
Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Romanian Journal for Multidimensional
Education, vol. 12, June 2020, pp. 1-8. Academic Search Complete, doi:10.18662/rrem/
12.1sup2/240. Accessed 25 July 2020.
[2] Cinquin, Pierre-Antoine, et al. “Online E-learning and Cognitive Disabilities: A Systematic
Review.” Computers and Education, vol. 130, Mar. 2019, pp. 152-67. Academic Search
Complete, doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2018.12.004. Accessed 26 July 2020.
[3] Fantini, Maria Pia, et al. “COVID-19 and the Re-Opening of Schools: A Policy Maker’s Dilemma.” Italian Journal of Pediatrics, vol. 46, no. 1, June 2020, pp. 1–3. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1186/s13052-020-00844-1. Accessed 27 July 2020.
[4] “2018 Public Elementary-Secondary Education Finance Data.” Annual Survey of School
System Finances, U.S. Census Bureau, 2018, https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/
school-finances.html. Accessed 25 July 2020.
[5] U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2019). Digest of
Education Statistics, 2018 (NCES 2020-009), Chapter 2.
Comment by Kassie Peloso
Another thing to consider when discussing virtual or alternative learning is the impact on academic advancements. The way students are intended to consume material will hinder their ability to fully comprehend or immerse themselves in the course. For primary education, AP courses will prove difficult, and in college, tactile based majors will suffer, for the hands-on studios will be no longer. Not all classes are built for an online platform, just like not all people are built for visual learning only. Even when and if schools open their doors, the experience will not be the same, and I fear for the learning that will be lost as a result.
I think the way you wrote this article was very good, but it is worthy to note education is monitored on a state level, not the federal level, and this is a reason why coming to a solution is so difficult.
I did my blog post around schools during this time of a pandemic too but more about what remote learning would look like for low-income families if schools do not open up in the fall and the struggles many families may face. So reading your blog post was really interesting to hear the other side of reality for the children who will be going back to school this fall. We also had some similar points with remote learning and the struggles of families and it raises the question on what schools can do to accommodate families with these struggles. Your points and evidence on school funding and the real truth on how schools can social distance with a classroom designed for a certain size brings up real concerns that many families have. How does that seem possible when we have states who struggle to do it in open areas? We feel like reopening schools can be so much of a safer process but in reality is this the only way schools can open back up in this matter. Also it is interesting to me how the whole country shutdown all schools in March as cases started to rise but are reopening with many more cases and still increasing.
Your argument further enhances my thinking that reopening schools with guidelines are going to be impossibly to work with. The fact that people think this is about not wanting to go back to work is insane. Remote learning was much harder for many teachers who took it seriously and gave it their best effort. It put a burden on ones that need special attention. This is about wanting to ensure basic cleanliness (how many clean bathrooms have you ever been in while in school?) basic precautions (distancing, masks)…. many of our students live in multi generational households, many of staff are high risk or live with high risk. It’s about the amount of exposure that will result from opening schools. Thats a huge amount of people in one place…. often with out of date HVAC systems. Students need to stay active and healthy as well as teachers. Schools are barely cleaned, toilet paper never stalked, never provides us with hand soap or paper towels. I’m pretty sure students and teachers are not going to want to wear a mask for 7-8 hours straight. My heart goes out to all teachers and students.
I completely agree that reopening schools here in the US is a very complex issue with lots of moving parts, none able to fully and effectively function without another. Between lack of funding, class sizes, space for social distancing, family schedule, students with learning disabilities etc., and the seemingly impossible deadline to develop solutions for all, reopening may seem daunting.
I think its important, however, to take note of other nations experiences with their individual attempts to reopen, this way we’re able to make a more informed decision. Denmark, for example, though one of the first countries to lock down and enforce social distancing in response to the Covid-19 virus, reopened schools and daycares for children ages 2 through 12 on April 15th. Fresh off a month of lockdown, unions harvested that time to conduct loads of Coronavirus research along with interaction with health experts and scientists, concluding the return would be safe. Under strict enforcement of social distancing and hand washing by school teachers and employees, as well as the implementation of outdoor classes, Denmark reported little to no increase in positive Coronavirus cases among staff, or the entirety of the population.
Though each country’s situation is like no other when considering the safety to reopen schools in the fall, there’s still lots that each nation can learn from one another to avoid making the same mistakes twice, and potentially build solutions along the way. After all, we, the world, are all experiencing these unchartered waters together, in need of one another to offer advice, in a time where thousands of lives depend on it.
I really enjoyed the multiple points and aspects that need to be taken into account because this is a complex idea for everyone to consider. To add, I am interested to know if the results of what school districts are deciding this year depend on the state they are in and the regulations that exist or does it depend on what that individual district can do to support their students. I would assume personally that it would be a mixture of both with a larger presence on the local level in the district. Another aspect that each district needs to take into account I think would depend on each level within the district, among elementary, middle, and high school the students will have different needs and capabilities that need to be taken into account. Overall I agree this is going to be a very different and difficult year for families and teachers.
I enjoyed over read your post.I got good ideas from this amazing post. I am always searching like this type of blog post. I hope I will see you again https://www.dumpsexpert.com/C1000-055-Exam-Dumps.html
Awesome article. Thanks for sharing such an great post with us. Visit: Translate English to Sundanese
Keep up the fantastic work, I read few articles on this site and I conceive that your blog is rattling interesting and contains bands of wonderful information. visit my site: AGEN SLOT ONLINE TERPERCAYA
Berikut ini adalah link Daftar Bonanza138 sebagai situs judi slot online terpercaya 2022.
Untuk menjawab dan menghilangkan kecemasan para penjudi , kami merekomendasikan Slot Online Bonanza138 sebagai situs slot online terpercaya di Indonesia.
Proses transaksi yang cepat serta terjamin membuat jumlah member yang ada di daftar Bonanza138 selalu bertambah setiap harinya.
dapatkan bonus new member 100% hanya di bonanza138
dapatkan bonus new member 100% dan juga bonus freespin 50% pragmatic play hanya di bonanza138
bonus freespin pragmaticplay samapai 50% hanya dengan daftar pakai link alternatif bonanza138
bergabung bersama kami di bonanza 138 dan nikmati promo dan event menarik lainnya.
segera claim bonus deposit 50% sekarang juga hanya di bonanza 138
bonus pragmatic play 50% pakai link alternatif bonanza138
bonus new member min deposit 10 k bonus 10k hanya di situs bonanza138
bonus new member min deposit 10 k bonus 10k hanya di situs bonanza138 banyak even dan promo terbaru
bonus new member min deposit 10 k bonus 10k hanya di login bonanza138 banyak even dan promo menarik lain nya
Kapan lagi hanya menggunakan 1 ID permainan saja anda sudah bisa merasakan ratusan permainan game menarik dan berhadiah menarik. Atuk segera dapatkan disini: Login Gan88.
situs judi slot online yang paling gacor dan terpercaya sejak 2021 GAN88
situs judi slot online yang paling gacor dan terpercaya sejak 2021 GAN88 sudah pasti di bayar menanng berapapun
buruan daftar segera hanya di gan88 situs slot paling gacor 2022 daftar pakai link alternatif gan88 bisa dapatkan bonus new member 100% kemenangan berapapun pasti di bayar
If you are writing Essay reviewer, there are a few key elements you should consider. First, the introduction should introduce the topic and clarify any unfamiliar terms. It should also include the author, journal, and year of publication. Second, the introduction should state why you are writing the review. Finally, the conclusion should state the main idea of your essay.
Writing in style and getting good compliments on the article is hard enough, to be honest, but you did it so calmly and with such a great feeling and got the job done. This item is owned with style and I give it a nice compliment. Better!print Plotter A1 A2
WOW! this article it really great i like it
Hey, i found a great site with so many games
Just click this >>> DetikToto <<<
You have really creative ideas. It’s all interesting I’m not tired of reading at all. เข้าเล่น sa