Learning Loss: How COVID-19 Will Influence Education
As the world starts to ease open again amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many places are still struggling to implement regulations that avoid going over the top without first waiting for the most current information. For instance, we found out in a press release this week that Gov. Gavin Newsome of California suggested re-opening schools as late as early August in his most recent Stay-at-Home order. The learning loss that this decision would create would be groundbreaking, and have unforeseen future consequences that effect the socio-economically disadvantaged students the most, as those students are least likely to have access to internet, a quiet place to learn, educational resources, or additional home support. To make matters worse, this decision was put in place prior to concrete summer-school or continual education plans being developed. How stupid is that?
For now, online classes are likely to continue throughout the next school year, as California is now the first state to declare the extension of online education through at least next semester at a college level; for the public-school systems, actions to keep children stimulated varies.
This week, California State University systems’ chancellor, Timothy White, told the board of trustees that there was too much of a risk in opening back up as usual. The classes at all 23 campuses are expected to resume online, marking CSU as the first school system to make this move. As well, Tony Thurmond, the California superintendent of public instruction, stated that he’s allowing the 1,000 California school districts to decide when to reopen their classrooms. With this bold move by the state of California, we can definitely expect more states to follow suit. Returning to public schools, there are over 6 million students in 10,315 schools who are facing uncertainty. The facts do not support this decision! FACT: For people who are 24 years old and younger, meaning COLLEGE AGE students, the chances of being infected and dying from COVID-19 are literally ONE IN A MILLION! They have a greater chance of being struck by lightening than dying from the Coronavirus. Do we shut down schools and hide in our home to avoid getting struck by lightening??
Here’s the problem: We can’t see into the future. No one can know, with certainty, that we will still be dealing with the coronavirus next fall. States should take into account that the curve is not flattening – it’s declining – and we may have a vaccine by fall. The smarter route would be similar to how Governor Hogan, of Maryland has handled their public school system – in steps. We should take the virus one day at a time and try not to plan too far ahead, as that hasn’t worked for us so far! Instead of deciding not to reopen classrooms, we should be focusing on the here and now. Not planning for the next few months.
Educational Results Partnership, a Sacramento-based data analytical non-profit wrote in assessment, “If not mitigated, the educational and economic disruption caused by this pandemic will lead to lasting academic and life setbacks for current students and those entering the workforce.” While the CARES Act directly provides California districts with $1.67 billion, an average of $267 per student, to compensate for the loss of learning, we have to ask, how stupid is it to put a price on the education of a child? Post what you think below!