Read on Twitter
The most maddening thing about the school reopening debate is that it is not a conversation being reported in good faith. There is a way in which so much oversimplification is dishonest. I’ll unwind what’s happening. (Thread)/1
The consensus lede from most mainstream media outlets is:
“The Biden administration wants schools to reopen, but teachers say they have safety concerns.”
The quickest fix for this statement is to swap the false conflict provided by the word “but,” and replace it with, “and.” /2
“The Biden administration wants schools to reopen, but teachers say they have safety concerns.”
The quickest fix for this statement is to swap the false conflict provided by the word “but,” and replace it with, “and.” /2
The Biden administration has said ad infinitum that it wants schools to reopen “safely.” It has emphasized safety. It has not, however, engaged in crystal clear messaging around what is and is not safe, preferring instead to pass the buck to states. /3
While local control of education is hugely important, there are select situations that demand federal oversight: civil rights, equity, access, closing some funding gaps, and key here...providing assistance in national emergencies. #COVID19 qualifies, I think. /4
The preferable position for Biden to take would be to specify, then, what rates of infection, square footage per pupil, and ventilation meets the mandate schools have to educate AND keep people safe while doing so. Doing so means acquiring political liability for errors.../5
and politicians of all stripes are loathe to incur blame for mistakes. Instead the CDC has rolled out page after page of highly specific recommendations...and undercut themselves with the word, “should,” and the phrase “whenever possible.” This gives districts political cover. /6
So, Biden says, “open safely, follow CDC guidance, and I’ll leave it to local authorities to decide how to implement that.”
The CDC says “should, whenever possible,” instead of “shall, in order to keep schools safe.”
Districts then take matters into their own hands.../7
The CDC says “should, whenever possible,” instead of “shall, in order to keep schools safe.”
Districts then take matters into their own hands.../7
School districts are allowing the CDC “should” vs. “shall,” to do a whole lot of work for them. They’re putting out press releases lauding their safety efforts, sending sunny emails to staff, and covering it all in a veneer of, “well, we’re doing the best we can.” /8
Here’s what’s happening in real time:
-rooms with 26-30 students in areas of high spread
-teachers given inappropriate PPE
-inadequate ventilation
-high staff vs student infections
I’m sure all districts are doing “something,” but inadequate efforts are a feature, not a bug. /9
-rooms with 26-30 students in areas of high spread
-teachers given inappropriate PPE
-inadequate ventilation
-high staff vs student infections
I’m sure all districts are doing “something,” but inadequate efforts are a feature, not a bug. /9
Districts point teachers with concerns directly back to the Biden administration for answers regarding financing safety concerns.
The Biden administration points at Congress, hoping to finish that 1.9T funding package soon. /10
The Biden administration points at Congress, hoping to finish that 1.9T funding package soon. /10
Teachers are left with plenty of promises and no answers from an administration that was supposed to be pro-education and districts that are charged with protecting students and staff. /11
What is deeply offensive to teachers is being told that they must not care about kids if they don’t want to reopen under these conditions. Teachers buy their own supplies and snacks to feed hungry kids. Their families aren’t rich. They’re passionate about what they do.../12
Teachers, however, are tired of being gaslit. There were students falling behind before this, and instead of a moon shot reinvestment in education to fix systemic problems, folks are actually shaming teachers for not wanting to die or become permanently disabled. /13
For context:
In Barrow County, GA, which has prioritized f2f instruction at the expense of improving the virtual experience, staff infections since July 27 are 1/8, while student Covid is 1/50. /14
In Barrow County, GA, which has prioritized f2f instruction at the expense of improving the virtual experience, staff infections since July 27 are 1/8, while student Covid is 1/50. /14
Teachers are heroes. They deserve to have clear answers on what constitutes safety, and people need to be held accountable when they willfully endanger staff and students. ###
Epilogue:
When all else fails, blame the community and teachers for not “doing what they’re supposed to.” Gwinnett County, GA:
When all else fails, blame the community and teachers for not “doing what they’re supposed to.” Gwinnett County, GA:
