Don’t Forget About Educator Safety When Reopening Schools

We are all in the midst of some very challenging times, regardless of our profession. When it comes to education, schools are grappling with reopening safely here in the United States. There are no easy answers or choices here.  As schools across the country are now virtually all closed for summer break, preparations are being made, and hopefully, comprehensive plans are being developed. However, in the midst of all of this, COVID-19 cases are rising in many states. Those planning to begin reopening in phases have pushed the pause button. On top of it all are conflicting messages about what is the best course of action.

When it comes to students, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has come out strongly in favor of schools having students return to the classroom in the fall despite the ongoing risks associated with COVID-19, as reported in the Huffington Post. Below is an excerpt.

"The AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school," the group said in an update to its guidance for school re-entry. The guidance asserts that "the importance of in-person learning is well-documented," and that evidence already has emerged of "negative impacts" on children due to school closures in the spring.

It is tough to deny the negative impacts the pandemic has had on kids such as learning loss, widening achievement gaps, social-emotional issues, and in some cases, a lack of physical activity and proper nutrition. Education Week provides a wealth of information and resources for schools in this recent piece focusing on developing the right schedule to meet the student needs. The bottom line is that schools need to reopen for their sake, but at what cost? As much as kids need to be in school learning, there is mounting pressure and concerns, rightfully so I might add, from adults who fear for their health and safety.

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A recent story from ABC News highlights the fear and frustration felt by many educators.

Some teachers around the country say they are nervous about returning because of underlying health conditions or concerns about infecting family members. Others say they are frustrated by the lack of clear guidance from officials about what's safe. And for some, it's about child care if their own kids are only back at school for a handful of days during the week. The result is an inevitable clash between leaders pushing aggressive reopening policies in states like Texas and Florida and teachers, some of whom say local officials need to think more about what they are asking teachers to do.

All re-entry plans must emphasize health and safety above all else, something that I highlight in this post. The process should be a collaborative one that enlists the input from teachers, students, administrators, and community members. Any plan that actually succeeds in helping people feel at ease about reopening schools will incorporate many of the ideas that the group decides upon based on consensus.

No matter how great the planning process is, the result won't be perfect or even acceptable for all. As many districts and schools are considering hybrid-learning models for kids that incorporate flexible schedules and choice, the same should be offered to teachers who are experiencing the issues laid out in the ABC News piece.  It is difficult for me even to suggest what this should look like. However, think about the different options and choices your district or school is offering students and adapt accordingly to teachers. A one-size-fits-all approach just won't cut it, and we owe it to them, to our teachers, to do everything possible to support them as they come back to work, whatever that form might be. Strong and compassionate leadership will be critical to ease concerns while developing a successful plan for reopening.

It's not just teachers we need to worry about, but also administrators and every other adult who is asked to work in a building.  Considerations should also be made for these people if the same COVID-19 concerns are prevalent.  The challenge and inherent opportunity are to begin to think about what types of work have to be done in-person and those that can be completed remotely.  

The time is now to put all the cards on the table while considering various options for staff that need them. Forcing anyone into a painful or uncomfortable decision because of COVD-19 risks, both direct and indirect, must be avoided. If not, then we might very well see a mass exodus of educators this school year.

8 Key Focus Areas for Developing a Re-Entry Plan

The COVID19 pandemic has radically disrupted both society and education as we know it. The chances of many things going back to the way they were are slim. I can say with confidence that a mentality of TTWWADI (that’s the way we’ve always done it) will not serve many people well going forward.  Hard lessons have been learned as countries have shut down their economies.  Sacrifices have been made on an unimaginable level. Questions remain as to what the future holds. Through it all, though, we have seen triumph and perseverance that serve as powerful motivating forces that can be used to collectively develop a new normal that might even be better.

Obviously, education is at the top of my mind since it is the profession both my wife and I are a part of, and my kids currently attend public schools in Texas.  Both the lessons learned and tolls from the pandemic serve as reminders that we need to be thinking critically about what schools will need to focus on as they re-open in the near future.  The bottom line is that re-entry planning has to begin now even though there are still many unknowns. Challenges that might seem insurmountable now have to be addressed. Many will remain well into the new school year, but detailed planning now can help to both mitigate and overcome many of them. New ones will most certainly pop up, so the focus should be on not developing the perfect plan, but instead the best one for your situation.

During the crisis, we have seen digital leadership strategies embraced and innovation take hold despite roadblocks. Successes with remote learning have to be built upon and integrated across the curriculum.  In particular, we have seen some kids flourish in this environment. Going forward, a sound plan should be developed so that all learners have a positive educational experience that meets their needs. Below are some key areas to focus on when developing a re-entry plan for the upcoming school year. 

Please note that there is no significance or reason behind the numbering above. It is just a general list. Safety is also weaved throughout.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

There might not be a more critical area of focus than SEL.  Many students have been traumatized over the past couple of months as a result of inadequate access to food, social isolation, parents being laid off, and in some cases, the lack of a caring adult in the home.  Schools, as they have always done, will serve a vital role in getting these kids back on track. The challenge is that we do not fully understand the severity of the impact during the pandemic yet. Hence, it is crucial to start to develop critical supports now.

Addressing and Closing Learning Gaps

Many people are saying that the summer learning loss will pale in comparison to what educators will see when kids return to school.  While many schools have valiantly continued with remote learning, some decided that it just wasn’t working.  Those that implemented their plans with fidelity still could not fully ensure that all kids completed assigned work, let alone learned. Strategies to help all kids, no matter where they are, will need to be emphasized.

Blended Learning

We have seen schools make considerable investments in technology during the pandemic. Such a blended pedagogy has become an integral component of remote learning plans. Schools can seize on the opportunities inherent with the purposeful use of technology aligned with high-agency strategies to create a more personalized experience.  

Equity

COVID19 has unveiled the harsh reality of the inequities that plague learners in virtually every country.  Where you live, in particular, has had a direct correlation to whether or not remote learning has been successful in many schools.  The “haves” have tended to prosper while the “have nots” have suffered.  We can ill-afford not to address this fact. Additionally, the digital divide is wider than many perceived. Access to devices and reliable WIFI needs to be emphasized.

Flexible and Innovative Schedules for Social Distancing

There is no guarantee that when schools re-open that social distancing guidelines will be relaxed. This will vary from state to state and country to country, but pre-planning for this now makes sense as remote learning will probably be needed in some form to begin the academic year. There might very well be limits on how many people can be in a classroom or building at one time, and rooms have to be reorganized to keep kids and adults six feet apart. The need for flexible and innovative schedules that address this, as well as remote blended learning for kids who are not in the building on certain days, will need to be prioritized.

Budget

It is difficult to sugarcoat this one.  Many states and countries will be making deep cuts to education.  It will take creativity during the planning process to reallocate funds for routine cleaning, screening for COVID19, hygiene, devices, improvements to bandwidth, professional development, and needed programs, all while retaining current staff. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) just recently released guidelines for schools that can be found in this decision tree. Unfortunately, difficult decisions lie ahead, similar to the Great Recession from 2007 - 2009. Rest assured, schools will emerge stronger and better prepared to meet the needs of all learners.

Professional Learning

For all the previous focus areas listed above to be addressed and implemented successfully, professional learning will be needed. How this is accomplished will vary depending on finances and internal resources. It is essential to identify and map out what specific supports will need to be outsourced and those that can be addressed internally with fidelity. At Aspire Change EDU, we have a comprehensive plan to assist districts and schools with re-entry. 

Community Engagement

For any re-entry plan to succeed, relationships with stakeholders are critical and something I discuss in greater detail in both Digital Leadership and BrandED.  Communicate excessively, but also consider eliciting feedback from parents and the greater community to develop the best possible course of action. Embracement by all is crucial to success.

I am sure there are other elements that will be considered. As you map out your plans, keep them generally focused on safety (student and staff) as well as learning. Together we are better and will get through this challenging time. 

Be sure to check out my entire #remotelearning series.