My heart is broken over the situation with K12 education in the midst of the global pandemic. In NC, some schools are 100% physically open (mostly private schools), some are open on a limited basis (a few public schools), and many are totally virtual (everyone else). Although there is little agreement on how to transition safely to full-time F2F instruction, there is certainly consensus that for many students the current sitution isn’t working. Parents are ill-equipped to provide instruction, and many who are working full-time find it impossible to monitor their students. Teachers have spent many (unpaid) hours when they flipped to virtual coursework, but still struggle with limited time, knowledge and resources to provide what students need. Students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds don’t have access to the infrastructure they need to succeed. Some children are highly motivated and good readers and writers and thrive in an e-Learning environment, but for others it is a poor fit. (for 

There has been a huge outcry to reopen schools — some from a genuine concern about how to “provide better instruction that works for more students” and some by the idea that “I need a full-time babysitter so I can work to support my family.” While the former is part of the purpose of education, the latter is not. A lot of the row has been sparked by political concerns, just like the brouhaha over wearing masks. Yesterday a group of Republicans running for state office held a press conference demanding that schools be open for face-to-face instruction and promising to do so immediately if elected. They acted like the decision moving to virtual school was a political one, not about the safety of students, teachers, and community members with whom they interact.

Today the governor announced that starting October 5, elementary schools have the option of opening under what is referred to as Plan A, which allows for full-time face-to-face learning. Whether to choose this alterntive is a local decision and there is no indication yet of how many will make that selection. I think this is a good call if it actually allows locals to use science to determine when is the best time to make the switch, but a mistake if it is a way to pressure schools to open regardless of what the evidence shows. The logistics will be challenging — do you allow teachers who are at-risk or live with at-risk family members to continue to teach remotely? Is there still an online option for students? How do you maintain physical distance on buses? In the cafeteria? Do you allow riskier courses (for example, PE, band) to continue to meet? Who is responsible for sanitation? What is your response when a teacher or student gets sick?

It is far more fun these days to be a Monday morning quarterback than actually involved with making these decisions.

GRAPHIC: PRESENTERMEDIA