Advice to parents whose children’s schools are being closed to stem the spread of coronavirus | Parent Coalition for Student Privacy

Advice to parents whose children’s schools are being closed to stem the spread of coronavirus | Parent Coalition for Student Privacy

ADVICE TO PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN’S SCHOOLS ARE BEING CLOSED TO STEM THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS

For the millions of parents whose children’s schools are closed, here is some advice on trying to minimize the health risks from your children’s overuse of screens, and to maximize their privacy if they are using ed tech apps.

Privacy

Many ed tech programs are neither private nor secure; they collect and share children’s personal data, often without your knowledge or consent.  This 2018 US Dept of Ed guidance has said that schools cannot require parents to agree to the terms of online apps or programs if they violate federal privacy law.   Ransomware, hacking, and identity theft also increase when using online programs, as the FBI has warned .  Generally,  your child’s data can only be used only for educational purposes, and the app’s privacy and terms of services should clearly say this.

For more specific advice on  what federal student privacy law requires and red flags to look for in reading a privacy policy,  check out our Parent Toolkit for Student Privacy.   Teachers should consult our Educator Toolkit .

Many schools  and colleges are using Zoom.  Be aware that there was a privacy complaint lodged against Zoom for intentionally allowing web cameras to be operated without users’ knowledge or consent.  You might consider keeping a band aid or other removable sticker on your computer’s web camera until you or your child intends to use it.

When considering applications and tools for remote online learning, you can also check out the privacy reviews of specific apps and CONTINUE READING: Advice to parents whose children’s schools are being closed to stem the spread of coronavirus | Parent Coalition for Student Privacy

Download the State Student Privacy Report Card HERE

View the interactive map and find more information about the report HERE

Educators: learn how to protect your students' privacy and your own.

Download a copy of the toolkit HERE

Parents: check out our toolkit on how to better protect your child's sensitive data, as well as tips to use in advocating for better privacy policies and practices at your children's schools.

Download a copy of the toolkit in English or Spanish

CURMUDGUCATION: It's Okay. You Don't Have To Homeschool.

CURMUDGUCATION: It's Okay. You Don't Have To Homeschool.

It's Okay. You Don't Have To Homeschool.

Like most teachers, I've had those student requests. End of the period, usually, they stop by the desk, usually looking downhearted. "Could I have the assignments for the next week or so," they ask. And then the cause. Death of a relative. Family emergency. A non-elective operation. A family tragedy. Some sort of unavoidable crisis that would take them away from school.

My answer was usually something along the lines of, "Just worry about taking care of yourself. We can sort out the work when you get back." On the occasions when the absence might cause extra falling-behind stress, I would offer some general direction ("We're going to be finishing the novel, wrapping up the rough draft, working in groups for the project"), but always with the same caveat-- take care of yourself first.

I've been thinking about that as school across the country shut down and social media fills up with all sorts of guides for home schooling or keeping your child organized. Color-coded hour-by-hour schedules. Guides to on-line resources and lessons. A dozen different tools to help have some semblance of school at home. And parents passing all of these back and forth, fretting about how to keep their child's education still happening. Quick! What's a Zoom and how do I get on it!!??

My actual first thought was--well, I don't remember ever seeing this level of freaking out over summer vacation. On the one hand, the concern is understandable; on the other hand, you would think some of these families had never been through summer vacation before.

But my second thought was this--

Just chill.

Stop.

Breathe.

This is a weird, scary, stressful time. If you want to create some structure and sense of forward movement by doing your version of ad hoc homeschooling, that's certainly okay. But if you'd rather CONTINUE READING: CURMUDGUCATION: It's Okay. You Don't Have To Homeschool.

Updated: NYC Schools Will Close Effective Monday (3/17) Until April 20th (or later) | Ed In The Apple

Updated: NYC Schools Will Close Effective Monday (3/17) Until April 20th (or later) | Ed In The Apple

Updated: NYC Schools Will Close Effective Monday (3/17) Until April 20th (or later)

Updated (3/15 – 5;30): de Blasio announces school will close tomorrow through April 20th, at least. Centers for children of health care workers will be announced. This coming week schools will be open for “grab and go” meals to take home.

Training for teachers for online teaching Tuesday through Thursday. Remote learning will begin Monday, 3/23 on Department website.

Number of confirmed cases 329 and increasing rapidly, five deaths,

In the last few days the calls for school closings have accelerated, the President of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten (Watch MSNBC interview here), Michael Mulgrew, the President of the United Federation of Teachers (Read statement here), the Los Angeles School District (Read statement here) all support closing schools.

Tens of thousands of page views quoted Diane Ravitch as supporting school closing, Diane responded, she was misquoted.

Most of the thirty largest school districts will be closed this week.

An op ed in the New York Times, “We Do Not Need to Close School to Fight the Coronavirus” argues “shutdowns could likely do more harm than good, since CONTINUE READING: Updated: NYC Schools Will Close Effective Monday (3/17) Until April 20th (or later) | Ed In The Apple

Sunday, March 8, 2020 CATCH UP WITH CURMUDGUCATION + ICYMI: I'm a Grandfather Again Edition (3/15)

CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: I'm a Grandfather Again Edition (3/15)

I'm a Grandfather Again Edition (3/15)

Beware the Ides of March, indeed. It's been a busy week and I've been a little behind on my own reading, so the list might be a little short today (and late, too). But my new grandson is beautiful.
Texas Takeover in Shepherd

A school takeover in Texas turns into a big fat mess, and the courts aren't much help.
Adios, John White

The indispensable Mercedes Schneider bids adieu to John White, who is now officially finally not in charge of education in Louisiana.
Please do a bad job of putting your courses online

Rebecca Barrett-Fox offers a perspective on the virus-induced move to online schooling. Maybe there are a few other things that are more important.
The Vicious Attack on Sweetwater Union District

Thomas Ultican has done all the homework on this tale of a California district that has been under continuous attack by privatizers.
Once Again, Teachers Are First Responders  

Nancy Flanagan reflects on how teachers often end up on the front lines when it's crunch time.
Audrey Watters and Ed Tech crisis response

If you aren't a subscriber to Watters' newsletter, you're missing important stuff. Here are some thoughts about what can go wrong with the virus-induced school closings.
Penguin Cam

Edinburgh Zoo has a live penguin cam. When you need a break from all the stress and worry--well, it's penguins!

Ohio's Charter War Fallout
10th period blog notes that Ohio has so many cyber-school students, the transition during the shutdown ought to be easily tapping into that expertise. Why isn't it?

Doubts Raised About Active Shooter Drills  
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette takes a look at a report questioning the effects of active shooter drills in schools.

CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: I'm a Grandfather Again Edition (3/15)

CATCH UP WITH CURMUDGUCATION

AND DON'T FORGET PETER GREENE ON FORBES CLICK HERE 

Post-Janus Union Busters Not Done Yet

46by Peter Greene / 21h

If you are a teacher and you spend time on Facebook, you've probably heard from those folks at My Pay My Say , their chirpy stock photo reminding you that you don't have to pay those nasty union dues. These initiatives have been popping up ever since the Janus case gave a Supreme Court okee dokee to the idea of freeloaders in a union. Teachers who don't already live in Right To Work states have re

MAR 13

DeVos Wants To Give Teachers PD Vouchers

by Peter Greene / 1d

It's not the dumbest education policy idea to ever come out of DC. Betsy DeVos is continuing to champion idea that she has pushed before-- giving teachers professional development vouchers and letting them go shop for their own professional development experiences. When floated in 2019, the idea was obviously not about kind thoughts about teachers or even philosophical consistency for the choice-l

MAR 12

DeVos Actually Sparks Bipartisan Action In Senate

36by Peter Greene / 2d

You may recall that Betsy DeVos really, really, really hates the idea of forgiving the loans that students took out to attend what turned out to be fraudulent predatory not-so-good for-profit universities, to the point that when she had to sign off on loan forgiveness paperwork left over from the previous administration, she felt compelled to add " with extreme displeasure " to her signature. Eith

MAR 11

Administration Matters

33by Peter Greene / 3d

This tweet turned up the other day. I interviewed a teacher who is leaving the profession in June. I asked her why she was quitting. Her response: “I was told to teach to the test...that if it’s not a test-taking skill, don’t teach it. I didn’t become a teacher to help kids become better test-takers.” #EdChat — Fixing Education (@FixingEducation) March 9, 2020 I wish the teacher hadn't slipped in

MAR 09

DeVosian Priorities and Public Service

by Peter Greene / 5d

There's nothing new to see here, but it's still worth noting what DeVos tells us about her priorities. From a recent interview with a conservative Christian podcas t-- let me just set these side by side: "I was fortunate enough to be born into a family that raised me to make my faith my own," she said. "I had exposure from my first memories to weekly church services." "I'm grateful to have had tha

The Gates Team Wants To Swing For The Education Fences. Maybe There’s A Better Way For Them To Play.

42by Peter Greene / 6d

It says something about Bill Gates that after using the expression “swing for the fences” in the title of his foundation’s annual letter , he also feels the need to explain it: That’s a phrase many Americans will recognize from baseball. When you swing for the fences, you’re putting every ounce of strength into hitting the ball as far as possible. You know that your bat might miss the ball entire

MAR 08

ICYMI: Losing An Hour Edition (3/8)

by Peter Greene / 7d

Surely it's about time to end this whole Daylight Savings baloney. Because as I sit here this morning, it hardly seems worth it. But here's some reading from the week: Voucher Programs Undermine Religious Liberty The Baptist Joint 

CURMUDGUCATION - http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/

Words Matter: Pandemic Edition – radical eyes for equity

Words Matter: Pandemic Edition – radical eyes for equity

Words Matter: Pandemic Edition

As the U.S. stumbles toward addressing COVID-19 concurrent with economic concerns connected to the pandemic as well as unrelated international events, such as oil futures, Henry David Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience,” with its focus on slavery and 1840s America, may seem even less relevant than when many of us were assigned the essay in high school.

But Thoreau’s first few paragraphs capture well the problems with public discourse, notably on social media, about the role of government during a time of national emergency spurred by a pandemic.

Immediately, Thoreau lays out the libertarian grounding of his argument:

I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe,—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

It is important to recognize here the essential idealism in libertarian thought (and to admit this idealism is little different than the idealism of Marxism/communism that libertarians and other conservatives point to in CONTINUE READING: Words Matter: Pandemic Edition – radical eyes for equity

Children and families impacted by the coronavirus need help NOW - EdAction March 15, 2020 - Education Votes

EdAction March 15, 2020 - Education Votes

EdAction March 15, 2020

Children and families impacted by the coronavirus need help NOW

By a vote of 363-40, the House of Representatives passed on March 14 the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) to help children and families impacted by the coronavirus. NEA sent a letter to House members supporting the legislation last week. (Click here to find out more about K-12 school closures across the nation.)

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act is a good initial step to help working families while members of Congress consider additional measures to confront the public health, educational, and financial fallout of the pandemic. Key provisions of H.R. 6201 include:

• Free coronavirus testing for everyone who needs a test, including the uninsured.
• Paid emergency leave, with both 14 days of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave.
• Enhanced Unemployment Insurance—a first step that will extend protections to furloughed workers.
• Strengthened food security initiatives, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), student meals, seniors’ nutrition, and food banks.
• Increased federal funds for Medicaid to help states face increased costs. 

Now that the House has acted, email your senators that children and families need immediate help!

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10 Republicans join Democrats in voting to halt DeVos’ anti-student initiative

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and her pro-privatization, anti-student agenda were rebuked on March 11 when a bipartisan Senate majority blocked her efforts to gut protections for student borrowers and taxpayers in her revision of the “borrower defense” rule.

“Today’s bipartisan vote in the Senate is a victory for students and shows, once again, just how out of touch Betsy DeVos’ agenda is with the American people,” said NEA President Lily Eskelsen García.

Ten Republican senators joined Democratic senators in voting 53 to 42 for S.J. Res. 56, which overturns the Department of Education’s revision of the 30-year-old Borrower Defense to Repayment rule. When predatory for-profit colleges have defrauded students with false promises, it is the borrower defense rule that enables students to have their federal loans canceled or forgiven. READ MORE

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Cheers and Jeers

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Patty Murray (D-WA), and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act which would  provide resources to help schools plan for closures, ensure early childhood programs stay in operation, provide emergency financial aid for college students in need of food and housing, and take other steps to support students and educators.

Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Deb Haaland (D-NM), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Mark Pocan (D-WI) introduced the Ensuring Emergency Food Security Act, which would temporarily increase and expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to combat economic impacts of the coronavirus.

Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and James Comer (R-KY) introduced the bipartisan COVID-19 Child Nutrition Response Act to protect students’ access to school meal benefits during school closures.

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass (D-CA) wrote the first in a new series of columns in Essence magazine, “In Her We Trust;” the column discusses the importance of black women in politics and the stakes in the 2020 elections.

Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Josh Hawley (R-MO),  Martha McSally (R-AZ), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Rob Portman (R-OH), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Todd Young (R-IN) joined their Democratic colleagues in supporting the congressional resolution opposing the revised “borrower defense” rule proposed by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) called H.R. 6201 an “ideological wish list,” while House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) condemned H.R. 6201 because it “forces permanent paid sick leave for all businesses without exemptions and no sunsets.”

EdAction March 15, 2020 - Education Votes