What could possibly go wrong?
School is ready to start and the education world is focused on what classes will look like.
The decision to open schools is difficult for several reasons.
- Kids need to be in school. Online classes don’t reach all students. Some haven’t got the hardware. Some haven’t got sufficient internet access. Some can’t focus on a screen. Some have needs that can’t be met without in-person classrooms. Some are too young to stay home alone and have parents who need to go to work.
- But in-person education can be dangerous right now. Some students are at-risk for the virus because of immune system issues or other pre-existing conditions. Some have elderly parents and grandparents in their homes; If they bring home COVID-19 it could be fatal to family members. Schools don’t exist in a vacuum. Teachers and other staff members might be susceptible to COVID-19.
- In-person education will be more expensive and states have less money to work with. Who will pay for extra cleaning supplies? Who will pay for personal protective equipment for teachers, staff, and students? Will schools need additional buses to transport students while keeping them distant from each other? Where will substitutes come from if and when teachers need time off?
Schools will need to balance the relative safety of students staying home with the disadvantages of learning online. They’ll have to balance the benefits of in- CONTINUE READING: What could possibly go wrong? | Live Long and Prosper