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THREAD: B/c many Chicagoland school districts are requiring wkly COVID testing as a condition of in-person school & activities, it's worth noting the NY State Ed Dept has said, "Nope, can't do that here." http://www.nysed.gov/common/nysed/files/programs/coronavirus/in-person-learning-sports-participation-covid-19-testing-amended.pdf
The Dept issued the statement after an advocacy group & parents sued NYC schools for excluded kids from being classrooms, unless their parents consented to mandatory testing. (h/t @Hold2LLC)
CDC guidance for school-based testing supports this view, stating such testing should be voluntary, & that it's unethical & illegal to test a student whose parents/guardians don't consent to testing. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-testing.html
At least 8 Chicago-area districts are requiring kids to be tested on a regular basis, if they are participating in school-based classes & activities. Does IL law allow this?
@NewTrier203 @Dist113 @ElmhurstD205 @oprfhshuskies @Glenbrook_south @glenbrooknorth @Dist_99 @stevensonhs
@NewTrier203 @Dist113 @ElmhurstD205 @oprfhshuskies @Glenbrook_south @glenbrooknorth @Dist_99 @stevensonhs
Far as I can tell, the only test "required" by the Illinois School Code is for tuberculosis (TB), when incidence in a community is high.
But that's via healthcare provider and permits a religious exemption. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/010500050k27-8.1.htm
But that's via healthcare provider and permits a religious exemption. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/010500050k27-8.1.htm
Notably, many of the districts I listed are not requiring teachers to be tested. I could be wrong, but the pointless, unethical - & probably illegal - testing of students seems like a concession to teacher union demands, which is unfortunate.
Ultimately, however, this is happening because parents are allowing it to happen. Is it out of fear? Desperation? Complacency? Virtue & righteousness (see below)?
I don't know.
I don't know.
The NY State Dept of Education said clearly that students can't be denied in-person education if parents don't consent to COVID-19 testing.
If anyone knows whether Illinois State BoE has spoken to this issue, please LMK.
If anyone knows whether Illinois State BoE has spoken to this issue, please LMK.
I do NOT buy the argument that the district can require the testing for in-person learning/activities because they are offering comparable instruction, etc. remotely.
That's laughably disingenuous, at best.
That's laughably disingenuous, at best.
If you're taxpayer or parent in a district that's using regular COVID-19 testing as a gatekeeper to f2f instruction - plx consider whether this is a wise or ethical use of your community's time
&
Board members w/ prof. &/or financial interests in testing must divest.
&Board members w/ prof. &/or financial interests in testing must divest.
Finally, TMK, more/more frequent testing has not led to more freedom/fewer restrictions in ANY country, state, city, university, school, or context. In fact, where we see more persistent/frequent testing, we see more restrictions (U of I, anyone?)
Stop. Feeding. The Beast.
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Stop. Feeding. The Beast.
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