breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,379
Location: PNW
Jul 20, 2014 21:57:23 GMT
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Post by breetheflea on Apr 13, 2020 15:08:14 GMT
I'm trying not to think about it...
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Post by refugeepea on Apr 13, 2020 16:41:50 GMT
As of now, are schools start again on May 1. Things change daily. We'll see.
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SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,741
Jun 25, 2014 19:55:12 GMT
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Apr 13, 2020 16:50:05 GMT
Dh's district's board has mentioned looking at a start date in Sept instead of Aug and has also mentioned looking at continued on-line learning until Dec. If this follows the path of Spanish Flu, we will look at big numbers again in October. This is the general consensus of healthcare workers in Boston (I know several). Either we'll flatten the curve now, get a beak before this ramps up again in the Fall or we don't flatten the curve and this continues thru Fall.
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,305
Jun 26, 2014 1:59:16 GMT
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Post by gina on Apr 13, 2020 16:58:22 GMT
We go back after Labor Day in my district in NY. I haven’t even given it much thought that we wouldn’t. Hell as of right now they’ve only officially called us out though the end of April. They haven’t called the school year for us yet.
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Post by busy on Apr 13, 2020 17:14:23 GMT
It takes time to develop that connection and I don't think I can do it over a computer. I am here to tell you that you can. It's different, but it's 100% possible. I work in online education for adults and I have built strong relationships with many students, and I am not an instructor so have way less interaction with students than they do. The students talk to each other, staff have reputations that spread among students across cohorts, etc. Everything you are worried about can and does happen with online relationships if you believe it can and are open to it. Again, it's different, but real. Case in point... part of an exchange between a student and me after she got a job offer. I was the second person she told, after her husband. The first sentence is her, then me with with OMG... I'm certainly not saying it's the ideal for traditional in-person public school to be going all distance. My company was built for remote from day one, so that's a huge advantage in actually teaching. But the human side of the relationships are built through Zoom and Slack and being real. That part is doable for anyone, regardless of technology stack.
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Post by freecharlie on Apr 13, 2020 18:20:06 GMT
busyThank you! That gives me hope
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Post by mom2rjcr on Apr 13, 2020 22:25:49 GMT
If we don't go back to school in the fall, our SPED students are so screwed.
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ComplicatedLady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,083
Location: Valley of the Sun
Jul 26, 2014 21:02:07 GMT
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Post by ComplicatedLady on Apr 14, 2020 1:46:08 GMT
My ds should be starting 3rd grade in August. The fact that spring break through the rest of the year was cancelled was surprising. I don’t know that I can keep him on second grade ready to move to third grade level—especially in the next few months. I also have a full time work at home job. Working at home full time plus teaching at home even part time is very challenging. I don’t know what to do. Is the school providing any online curriculum or direction? I work at home full time as well, and it's challenging to keep my 3 motivated and on task to get their assignments done. There is some direction and assignments. No where near a full school day but it’s more than I can manage while also trying to work full time. I’m taking time off from work each day to work with him. When it was spring break and then the week after spring break, it was easier to let him lounge around and play all day. Now, I am prioritizing his schooling but I am not a teacher so it’s hard. Luckily my boss has a kid the same age so he understands and is quite flexible.
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,792
Jun 27, 2014 20:37:34 GMT
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Post by purplebee on Apr 14, 2020 2:04:31 GMT
Here in AR our Republican Governor refuses to put a formal stay at home order in place. He has closed schools until next year, closed restaurants, bars, beauty shops and tattoo parlors and is encouraging social distancing and wearing masks. He says the numbers are proving it’s working. Not sure about that, lots of folks who think they may have had it in a February/March haven’t been tested....
Not sure what to think about next school year, we are due to go back mid-August. Time will tell, I guess. I’m in my 20th year as a lunch lady, this is NOT how I wanted to spend what might be my last year. I was planning on at least another year, we’ll see...
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Post by 950nancy on Apr 14, 2020 2:25:23 GMT
We will go back. I'm not worried about it. This is where I am sitting also. I just think it could be postponed a few weeks for those of us that start early in August, but maybe after Labor Day kids would return.
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Post by epeanymous on Apr 14, 2020 2:31:38 GMT
Sorry, but I don't see how I can do this long-term. I am a professor with kids. They are supposed to be in school, I am supposed to be at school teaching. I can't do the intensive student focus and also intensively focus on my kids. I have a light teaching load things spring, my students are pass/fail, and everyone is cutting slack for the weirdness. I am also not doing my other things, like writing scholarship or handling administrative responsibilities.
If I don't have school to send my kids to or daycare for them, something will give. I generally put in about 50 hours a week when I have child care. That . . . is not happening right now. I can't do all of it.
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samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,079
Jun 27, 2014 19:06:19 GMT
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Post by samantha25 on Apr 14, 2020 2:40:04 GMT
I just received from kids' new middle school (going into 6th grade next year), their forms to select their electives. Excited, but bummed that they may not be able to start their new school for 6th grade, but work remotely. We were fortunate that we choiced into this middle school and did not have to move!
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misse336
Full Member
Posts: 236
Feb 24, 2020 2:57:43 GMT
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Post by misse336 on Apr 14, 2020 12:18:40 GMT
It takes time to develop that connection and I don't think I can do it over a computer. I am here to tell you that you can. It's different, but it's 100% possible. I work in online education for adults and I have built strong relationships with many students, and I am not an instructor so have way less interaction with students than they do. The students talk to each other, staff have reputations that spread among students across cohorts, etc. Everything you are worried about can and does happen with online relationships if you believe it can and are open to it. Again, it's different, but real. Case in point... part of an exchange between a student and me after she got a job offer. I was the second person she told, after her husband. The first sentence is her, then me with with OMG... I'm certainly not saying it's the ideal for traditional in-person public school to be going all distance. My company was built for remote from day one, so that's a huge advantage in actually teaching. But the human side of the relationships are built through Zoom and Slack and being real. That part is doable for anyone, regardless of technology stack. But you are talking about teaching adults. Teaching adults and teaching children, especially primary aged children is a huge difference. You are working with adults who are able to complete work independently, have the technology to get online, have no restrictions about if they are allowed to be online "live" with their teachers, want to be there and are able to read. The time at the beginning of the year where you are able to assess the students to see what their strengths/weaknesses/needs are is invaluable and I don't see how it can be replicated at home. Especially when most teachers I speak with only have 40-50% of their kids getting online and completing the work - in districts where students are all given devices and checked to see if they have internet at home. Of the ones getting online, many are only submitting assignments that they want to do. I am glad that the experience at your university is positive online. I am also enrolled in an online graduate program at a major university in my state. My experience is nothing like what you post. I have emailed my professor exactly twice. Once I got helpful info back, the other time not so much. I get the generic emails from her once a week, sent to the entire class, about what the assignments are for the week. I know of no one in the course - never was given their contact info if I wanted to get in touch with them. Only interaction is on discussion forum where you respond to specific posts. I am doing well in the courses and will earn the certificate needed when I complete the next 3 classes, but that's all that's happening - no relationships. I don't think that my experience is unique either. I am just really hoping that school can start in the fall, even if it's a little later than planned. I don't see how it can happen right now give the current state of the virus. But I also don't see how this can continue and still actually educate the students who are younger, have no home support, struggle with academics and receive extra support/IEP.
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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Apr 14, 2020 12:30:32 GMT
My kids attend cyber charter schools. The teachers can definitely build relationships with the kids. I'm sure it's not quite the same as a brick and mortar school, but it works well. The kids establish relationships with each other too. The boys have quite a few friends from school and while it's not always possible to meet in person, they do meet online with video games and things like that in the evenings. Our ODS has attended both brick and mortar and cyber school and he will always choose cyber school over public school. However, with all that being said, I am blessed to be able to stay home with the boys, It's going to be very difficult for those parents who work full time jobs if schools are delayed in starting on time in the fall.
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misse336
Full Member
Posts: 236
Feb 24, 2020 2:57:43 GMT
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Post by misse336 on Apr 14, 2020 12:41:43 GMT
My kids attend cyber charter schools. The teachers can definitely build relationships with the kids. I'm sure it's not quite the same as a brick and mortar school, but it works well. The kids establish relationships with each other too. The boys have quite a few friends from school and while it's not always possible to meet in person, they do meet online with video games and things like that in the evenings. Our ODS has attended both brick and mortar and cyber school and he will always choose cyber school over public school. However, with all that being said, I am blessed to be able to stay home with the boys, It's going to be very difficult for those parents who work full time jobs if schools are delayed in starting on time in the fall. And I am guessing that you ensure that your kids are online when they need to, complete the work that they need to and help them as needed. I'm also guessing that your cyber charter school is allowing online meets via zoom/google classroom/etc. Not all of those things are happening in the district my kids attend where the email I got from the MS science teacher said that only 40-50% of the kids logged on in the past 2 weeks. Even less completed all of the assignments. They aren't allowed to use any live meets online, only prerecorded teacher videos. This is a district where all students have devices (iPads or laptops depending on the grade) from the school and anyone without internet was given hotspots to use until June. It's also a district that is pretty suburban/borderline rural. Definitely not an urban district with the high rate of poverty many places in the USA see. In speaking with other teachers in other districts the participation rate in the district my kids attend is about average. It's difficult at times to have students complete work while they are at school, it's almost impossible to replicate virtually. So the ones with home support will advance and the ones without home support or with learning disabilities will get farther and farther behind.
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Post by busy on Apr 14, 2020 12:44:17 GMT
I am here to tell you that you can. It's different, but it's 100% possible. I work in online education for adults and I have built strong relationships with many students, and I am not an instructor so have way less interaction with students than they do. The students talk to each other, staff have reputations that spread among students across cohorts, etc. Everything you are worried about can and does happen with online relationships if you believe it can and are open to it. Again, it's different, but real. Case in point... part of an exchange between a student and me after she got a job offer. I was the second person she told, after her husband. The first sentence is her, then me with with OMG... I'm certainly not saying it's the ideal for traditional in-person public school to be going all distance. My company was built for remote from day one, so that's a huge advantage in actually teaching. But the human side of the relationships are built through Zoom and Slack and being real. That part is doable for anyone, regardless of technology stack. But you are talking about teaching adults. Teaching adults and teaching children, especially primary aged children is a huge difference. You are working with adults who are able to complete work independently, have the technology to get online, have no restrictions about if they are allowed to be online "live" with their teachers, want to be there and are able to read. The time at the beginning of the year where you are able to assess the students to see what their strengths/weaknesses/needs are is invaluable and I don't see how it can be replicated at home. Especially when most teachers I speak with only have 40-50% of their kids getting online and completing the work - in districts where students are all given devices and checked to see if they have internet at home. Of the ones getting online, many are only submitting assignments that they want to do. I am glad that the experience at your university is positive online. I am also enrolled in an online graduate program at a major university in my state. My experience is nothing like what you post. I have emailed my professor exactly twice. Once I got helpful info back, the other time not so much. I get the generic emails from her once a week, sent to the entire class, about what the assignments are for the week. I know of no one in the course - never was given their contact info if I wanted to get in touch with them. Only interaction is on discussion forum where you respond to specific posts. I am doing well in the courses and will earn the certificate needed when I complete the next 3 classes, but that's all that's happening - no relationships. I don't think that my experience is unique either. I am just really hoping that school can start in the fall, even if it's a little later than planned. I don't see how it can happen right now give the current state of the virus. But I also don't see how this can continue and still actually educate the students who are younger, have no home support, struggle with academics and receive extra support/IEP. I was specifically only talking about building relationships with students, and like I said, it’s different but possible.
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Post by elaine on Apr 14, 2020 12:49:32 GMT
If we don't go back to school in the fall, our SPED students are so screwed. Yes, yes they are/will be. I can speak from first-hand experience of the mom of two SPED boys. That said, many kids in SPED also have underlying health issues/health issues that would make them vulnerable to the virus, so it is important that schools stay closed until we get a handle on the virus. We struggle daily/hourly with no school in my house, and it is still better to have both my boys healthy and alive than the alternative. It ended up that my younger son’s teacher and several of the staff came down with COVID 10 days after they closed down schools here. If schools had been left open past March 12, many in son’s school - including my son - would have been sick.
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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Apr 14, 2020 12:55:44 GMT
My kids attend cyber charter schools. The teachers can definitely build relationships with the kids. I'm sure it's not quite the same as a brick and mortar school, but it works well. The kids establish relationships with each other too. The boys have quite a few friends from school and while it's not always possible to meet in person, they do meet online with video games and things like that in the evenings. Our ODS has attended both brick and mortar and cyber school and he will always choose cyber school over public school. However, with all that being said, I am blessed to be able to stay home with the boys, It's going to be very difficult for those parents who work full time jobs if schools are delayed in starting on time in the fall. And I am guessing that you ensure that your kids are online when they need to, complete the work that they need to and help them as needed. I'm also guessing that your cyber charter school is allowing online meets via zoom/google classroom/etc. Not all of those things are happening in the district my kids attend where the email I got from the MS science teacher said that only 40-50% of the kids logged on in the past 2 weeks. Even less completed all of the assignments. They aren't allowed to use any live meets online, only prerecorded teacher videos. This is a district where all students have devices (iPads or laptops depending on the grade) from the school and anyone without internet was given hotspots to use until June. It's also a district that is pretty suburban/borderline rural. Definitely not an urban district with the high rate of poverty many places in the USA see. In speaking with other teachers in other districts the participation rate in the district my kids attend is about average. It's difficult at times to have students complete work while they are at school, it's almost impossible to replicate virtually. So the ones with home support will advance and the ones without home support or with learning disabilities will get farther and farther behind. I was talking about building relationships and how that was possible. I have a 16 year old son and other than waking him up in the morning he is completely responsible for getting himself into his classes and being there on time. I have an 11 year old autistic son and he requires a bit more encouragement. I understand that what brick and mortar teachers are going through is completely different and new to what our cyber teachers are dealing with. Our boys must log in every day or they are considered absent. No absentee form or email from the parent that is considered unexcused. I get that right now most schools are not set up for that, but I'm hoping this is a learning tool that schools can use in the future. Maybe have contingent plans in place in case something like this ever happens again. Students and teachers are being thrown into a world that is completely unorganized and unknown to them. I feel bad for all who are involved in this. I know our local district went almost a month with absolutely no learning in place at all. They just started online learning last week and schools here are now closed for the rest of the year. Some have decided to end the school year now and other districts will continue with online learning the best they can.
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Post by Skellinton on Apr 14, 2020 14:45:56 GMT
For all of you talking about the capability of building relationships and how do you think that will work for younger elementary kids? Kindergarten kids, many who have zero school experience? How do you think learning to read and print is going to go via online education without parents talking a damn near full time teaching position that they are not trained for?
I get that online education can be great, but I don’t think it can be effective for the younger learners, it just can’t. I would love to be convinced otherwise, but I fear for the kids who are in K, 1st and 2nd grade now and the incoming kindergarten kids if school doesn’t start in person. Those kids are going to struggle, and for everyone who said they will be fine in the long run on other threads, maybe they will, but I do think the youngest learners and the majority of SPED children are going to struggle with school for a very long time.
There has been an enormous amount of research showing how important reading proficiency by 3rd grade is to children‘s later school success. I worry about how teachers can handle reading groups and teaching reading via online learning.
How will the younger students learn the school routines and social situations that arise without significant parent involvement? I know homeschooling can work and be a wonderful situation, but parents that homeschool are not usually working from home and have some sort of aptitude for it. I think it is unreasonable to assume most parents are equipped or willing to do what is necessary to provide the support at home learning is going to require long term,
I fear for the kids and teachers for the younger learners.
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Post by busy on Apr 14, 2020 14:54:40 GMT
For all of you talking about the capability of building relationships and how do you think that will work for younger elementary kids? Kindergarten kids, many who have zero school experience? How do you think learning to read and print is going to go via online education without parents talking a damn near full time teaching position that they are not trained for? I get that online education can be great, but I don’t think it can be effective for the younger learners, it just can’t. I would love to be convinced otherwise, but I fear for the kids who are in K, 1st and 2nd grade now and the incoming kindergarten kids if school doesn’t start in person. Those kids are going to struggle, and for everyone who said they will be fine in the long run on other threads, maybe they will, but I do think the youngest learners and the majority of SPED children are going to struggle with school for a very long time. There has been an enormous amount of research showing how important reading proficiency by 3rd grade is to children‘s later school success. I worry about how teachers can handle reading groups and teaching reading via online learning. How will the younger students learn the school routines and social situations that arise without significant parent involvement? I know homeschooling can work and be a wonderful situation, but parents that homeschool are not usually working from home and have some sort of aptitude for it. I think it is unreasonable to assume most parents are equipped or willing to do what is necessary to provide the support at home learning is going to require long term, I fear for the kids and teachers for the younger learners. I can only speak for myself, but I was responding to a high school teacher and her concerns about being able to build connections with her students. I never said it applies to all ages and needs.
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Post by PEAcan pie on Apr 14, 2020 15:56:17 GMT
I can't imagine it being allowed to go on that long. Unfortunately, it is not about being allowed. It may be the only way to fight the virus. Without a vaccine or herd immunity people will keep dying and our healthcare will keep being overwhelmed. Pray for a vaccine.
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sarahruby
Full Member
Posts: 311
Jul 1, 2014 0:40:17 GMT
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Post by sarahruby on Apr 14, 2020 16:33:09 GMT
My ds should be starting 3rd grade in August. The fact that spring break through the rest of the year was cancelled was surprising. I don’t know that I can keep him on second grade ready to move to third grade level—especially in the next few months. I also have a full time work at home job. Working at home full time plus teaching at home even part time is very challenging. I don’t know what to do. Is the school providing any online curriculum or direction? I work at home full time as well, and it's challenging to keep my 3 motivated and on task to get their assignments done. I'm in the same boat - my son will be in 5th next year. I am working full time from home, which includes overtime. So far, I am finding my son does better with online. We get the assignments done best we can - he does well. Ive actually thought about virtual learning from him if I continue working from home indefinately.
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Post by PEAcan pie on Apr 14, 2020 17:04:34 GMT
I am trying to homeschool today. Three kids at three different Schools. I am not good at this.at.all. I wish my kiddos were all 10 and under, it would be so much easier for me. Having a High Schooler right now is so hard, he is crushed he cant see his girlfriend/friends and this could go on for a year!! Which in a kids life, might as well be 5 years!
I am trying to prepare myself for certainly the most challenging year in our lives. I am in the camp that there is a good possibility there will be no School next fall. All we can do is pray they can get a vaccine and it works!
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pyccku
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,817
Jun 27, 2014 23:12:07 GMT
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Post by pyccku on Apr 14, 2020 18:08:43 GMT
There are some things that will determine when/if school starts, and how it will look.
1. testing for the disease - if we do widespread testing and it turns out that the death rate is actually very low - we may see a move away from sheltering in place. 24,000 dead is bad - but if we find out that 240 million of us already have it or have had it, that changes the equation a bit.
2. testing for antibodies - if we can find out who has already had it, those people will be able to return to work/school. And their plasma may be used as a treatment.
3. PPE and ventilators - we have had shortages. If we are able to ramp up production so that we can protect everyone AND be prepared when they do need a vent, we won't need to worry so much about the curve. The thing in short supply will be personnel to run those vents, though.
4. a vaccine - this will be the biggest game-changer.
5. A treatment for the disease - right now we're just throwing things at it in the hopes that something works. If we can find some course of treatment that works better than just giving breathing support, we'll see the death rate go down.
Until then, I see most schools having a plan A and a plan B - start in person when possible, but make sure EVERY student has a device and a plan for when we go back to lockdown. We may not need lockdown everywhere at the same time - so schools in one state may be able to start on time and need a lockdown 3 months later, while other schools may not start on time but then avoid lockdowns the rest of the year. EVERY teacher will need to have a plan for when we go back into seclusion, period. Since all of those things
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Post by myshelly on Apr 14, 2020 19:07:03 GMT
There are some things that will determine when/if school starts, and how it will look. 1. testing for the disease - if we do widespread testing and it turns out that the death rate is actually very low - we may see a move away from sheltering in place. 24,000 dead is bad - but if we find out that 240 million of us already have it or have had it, that changes the equation a bit. 2. testing for antibodies - if we can find out who has already had it, those people will be able to return to work/school. And their plasma may be used as a treatment. 3. PPE and ventilators - we have had shortages. If we are able to ramp up production so that we can protect everyone AND be prepared when they do need a vent, we won't need to worry so much about the curve. The thing in short supply will be personnel to run those vents, though. 4. a vaccine - this will be the biggest game-changer. 5. A treatment for the disease - right now we're just throwing things at it in the hopes that something works. If we can find some course of treatment that works better than just giving breathing support, we'll see the death rate go down. Until then, I see most schools having a plan A and a plan B - start in person when possible, but make sure EVERY student has a device and a plan for when we go back to lockdown. We may not need lockdown everywhere at the same time - so schools in one state may be able to start on time and need a lockdown 3 months later, while other schools may not start on time but then avoid lockdowns the rest of the year. EVERY teacher will need to have a plan for when we go back into seclusion, period. Since all of those things But where are districts going to get those devices? DH is a teacher in a title 1 district and frankly, it’s a shitshow right now. He has google classroom lessons every day, but less than 1/3 of his students attend. The district gave what devices they did have to high schoolers, but there is no feasible way to get them to all elem kids. Most parents aren’t home. A huge percentage of them work jobs that have been deemed essential - grocery store workers, plumbers, janitorial, restaurant industry. The ones that are home are not technologically savvy. DH spent 45 minutes trying to talk a mom through signing into a zoom meeting and she was not successful and gave up. Going online may be easy for the peas, who all clearly have access to a device and the internet, but what do you do if you teach in a district where the majority of households don’t own a computer?
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Post by freecharlie on Apr 14, 2020 19:15:07 GMT
Going online may be easy for the peas, who all clearly have access to a device and the internet, but what do you do if you teach in a district where the majority of households don’t own a computer? Honestly, that is a huge issue. Right now I think districts, schools, and teachers are extending grace because none of us have any experience with this type of thing. The achievement gap is going to get wider and there will be a strong division in the education of students of different SES.
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pyccku
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,817
Jun 27, 2014 23:12:07 GMT
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Post by pyccku on Apr 14, 2020 19:16:12 GMT
But where are districts going to get those devices? DH is a teacher in a title 1 district and frankly, it’s a shitshow right now. He has google classroom lessons every day, but less than 1/3 of his students attend. The district gave what devices they did have to high schoolers, but there is no feasible way to get them to all elem kids. Most parents aren’t home. A huge percentage of them work jobs that have been deemed essential - grocery store workers, plumbers, janitorial, restaurant industry. The ones that are home are not technologically savvy. DH spent 45 minutes trying to talk a mom through signing into a zoom meeting and she was not successful and gave up. Going online may be easy for the peas, who all clearly have access to a device and the internet, but what do you do if you teach in a district where the majority of households don’t own a computer? I am in a Title 1 district as well - 90% of our students live under the poverty level. We've done what we can to get devices and connections to students. I've seen work from about 30 of my 161 students - the rest just aren't doing it for whatever reason. They do know that the work now can't count against them, so I probably wouldn't care about doing it either if I were them. Right now, everyone is just trying to finish the year. Our focus is getting kids who had low grades to bring them up to passing. Get missing assignments turn in. Do enrichment. There is no new material. If we end up with rolling lockdowns, schools will need to change tactics. There will need to be a plan for times when we can't meet in person - there will need to be an online option as well as offline. Perhaps teachers will need to have packets ready for those who don't have access - and everyone else does the material online. We won't be able to just write off the new school year the way we've written off this year. There's a huge difference in the way my daughter is approaching online instruction - where attendance is taken, assignments count, and you CAN fail if you don't do the work - vs. the way my students are approaching it - no attendance, assignments can't count against them, and their grade can't be lower than it was when we went on spring break.
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,684
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Apr 14, 2020 20:25:23 GMT
Going online may be easy for the peas, who all clearly have access to a device and the internet, but what do you do if you teach in a district where the majority of households don’t own a computer? Agreed. We're going online Monday so today I entered all the info from those families that requested a device. When we surveyed our families only about a third responded at all, of those 90 families requested a device (we're giving one device per family, fortunately our MS/HS was already 1-1 Chromebooks and each elem class has a few iPads), of those 90 I was surprised to see only 6% didn't have internet.....then again, if they don't have internet they probably didn't respond We'll see how many kids actually participate come next week but I expect it to be low Right now the goal is not to teach but rather stop them from losing any more. This is so much worse than the typical "summer slide" that we try to avoid by hosting summer camps.
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Post by myshelly on Apr 14, 2020 20:28:32 GMT
But where are districts going to get those devices? DH is a teacher in a title 1 district and frankly, it’s a shitshow right now. He has google classroom lessons every day, but less than 1/3 of his students attend. The district gave what devices they did have to high schoolers, but there is no feasible way to get them to all elem kids. Most parents aren’t home. A huge percentage of them work jobs that have been deemed essential - grocery store workers, plumbers, janitorial, restaurant industry. The ones that are home are not technologically savvy. DH spent 45 minutes trying to talk a mom through signing into a zoom meeting and she was not successful and gave up. Going online may be easy for the peas, who all clearly have access to a device and the internet, but what do you do if you teach in a district where the majority of households don’t own a computer? I am in a Title 1 district as well - 90% of our students live under the poverty level. We've done what we can to get devices and connections to students. I've seen work from about 30 of my 161 students - the rest just aren't doing it for whatever reason. They do know that the work now can't count against them, so I probably wouldn't care about doing it either if I were them. Right now, everyone is just trying to finish the year. Our focus is getting kids who had low grades to bring them up to passing. Get missing assignments turn in. Do enrichment. There is no new material. If we end up with rolling lockdowns, schools will need to change tactics. There will need to be a plan for times when we can't meet in person - there will need to be an online option as well as offline. Perhaps teachers will need to have packets ready for those who don't have access - and everyone else does the material online. We won't be able to just write off the new school year the way we've written off this year. There's a huge difference in the way my daughter is approaching online instruction - where attendance is taken, assignments count, and you CAN fail if you don't do the work - vs. the way my students are approaching it - no attendance, assignments can't count against them, and their grade can't be lower than it was when we went on spring break. I agree with you, I just can’t fathom a good solution right now. Schools absolutely need a more comprehensive plan for this to happen again after school starts for the next year, but they can’t magically find funding for more devices. And physical packets without any instruction won’t keep the curriculum moving forward.
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cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,387
Jun 26, 2014 0:42:38 GMT
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Post by cycworker on Apr 14, 2020 21:42:58 GMT
I can't imagine it being allowed to go on that long. Unfortunately, it is not about being allowed. It may be the only way to fight the virus. Without a vaccine or herd immunity people will keep dying and our healthcare will keep being overwhelmed. Pray for a vaccine. Governments & businesses aren't going to wait for a vaccine before they start to loosen social distancing rules. There will be too much pressure on them to wait that long.
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