Saturday, July 4, 2020

NANCY BAILEY: Happy 4th! Celebrating America’s Teachers, NOT Chromebooks!

Happy 4th! Celebrating America’s Teachers, NOT Chromebooks!

Happy 4th! Celebrating America’s Teachers, NOT Chromebooks!


Americans miss their public schools, their universities, and their teachers. On this 4th of July we owe much to the frontline hospital healthcare workers who save lives. Also give thanks for America’s teachers. They stand by their students and are trying to navigate uncertainty concerning Covid-19.
Back in March, many believed the virus would be a Shock Doctrine end for public education and teachers. Online learning would replace public schools and teachers. Brick-and-mortar schools would be a thing of the past.
For years, politicians, education reformers, and a zillion nonprofits backed by pro-privatization and technology agendas, pushed for stay at home online learning. Think K12 Inc. and Connections Academy, two online tech programs with abysmal track records.
Online charter schools like Summit and Rocketship are about replacing brick-and-mortar public schools and teachers. During these tedious months both Summit (they’re talking about data downloads) and Rocketship have been promoting their success. Tech plays a supporting role, it doesn’t stand well alone.
Anytime, anywhere learning was supposed to become the new school reality because of CONTINUE READING: Happy 4th! Celebrating America’s Teachers, NOT Chromebooks!