Indiana Education Head On Reopening Schools: Contact Tracing Is A 'Beast' | 89.3 KPCC
Indiana Education Head On Reopening Schools: Contact Tracing Is A 'Beast'
In Indiana, school has started up for many students — or will in the next week. It's one of a majority of states where local districts will make most of the decisions about what school will look like this year.
Many districts across the state are bringing students back in person but are also offering online learning for those nervous about returning. Schools have already recorded positive coronavirus cases since reopening and had to adjust their plans, including shutting down temporarily.
In-person or online, staggered schedules and hybrid models, different criteria for when to open and when to shut back down — plans are changing "nonstop, which is frustrating for everybody involved," says Jennifer McCormick, who heads the Indiana Department of Education.
For students and staff who attend in person, and their families, contact tracing is key to keeping coronavirus cases down, public health experts say.
But McCormick tells NPR that that in particular has been one of the biggest challenges.
"That contact tracing is a beast," she tells Steve Inskeep on Morning Edition. "And in order to manage that and have the people to do it is really hard. And then on the CONTINUE READING: Indiana Education Head On Reopening Schools: Contact Tracing Is A 'Beast' | 89.3 KPCC