Hello, Great Lakes Center subscriber:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most American students will not finish the school year in their traditional setting. Now, schools are trying to figure out how and when to reopen.

In this issue, we address the overall concerns for reopening schools. In our next issue, we will review alternative scheduling ideas.

THE ISSUE

How, and when, should America's K-12 schools reopen?

WHAT WE KNOW

• Parents are rightfully concerned. In a recent national survey fewer than half wanted to send their children to school in the absence of an effective vaccine. At the same time, they are concerned about lost learning opportunities.
• Teachers are worried about teaching in environments that may be unsafe for their students and themselves. Recently, one-fifth of teachers reported that they or their peers were more likely to leave the profession as a result of COVID-19.
• State legislators are talking about large funding cuts at a time when education funding needs to be dramatically increased. While the need for increasing federal funding is obvious and a relief package of over $300 billion to assist schools has been proposed, there is little guarantee it will be signed into law in today's political climate.
• With the public coming to a better understanding of racial and economic injustice, and the long-documented inequities in schools, the reopening of schools gives us a national opportunity to do better, but will schools have the capacity to do so?
• ​When schools reopen, teachers say the top priorities are to take additional health and sanitation measures and to create smaller class sizes with staggered schedules. They believe in-school and after-school remediation strategies and/or tutoring will be necessary as well as increased socio-emotional support for students.

• HVAC systems. The Government Accounting Office recently released a report that 41% of districts need to replace or upgrade heating and ventilation systems. The CDC guidelines for reopening ensure that ventilation systems operate properly.
• Physical space and school buses. It will be difficult to social distance students in overcrowded classrooms. Districts may need to use split or alternative schedules to accommodate the concern. Smaller classes mean hiring more teachers.
• Masks. Depending on the status of the virus, teachers and students may be expected to wear masks.
• Restrooms. Expect the need for increased cleaning in restrooms, hallways and throughout buildings.
• Extra-curricular activities such as sports, theater, music and group events may be temporarily eliminated or significantly adjusted.
• Lunchrooms. Although there is little evidence the virus spreads through food, a large gathering of students at one time may enhance the spread. Lunchrooms may be closed or reconfigured.  Students might eat in classrooms.

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE

HELPFUL RESOURCES

1. The Learning Policy Institute issued a report detailing what six other countries have done and what we can learn from them.
2. In May, the CDC issued guidance which included reopening schools.
3. A comprehensive survey of teachers released by Educators For Excellence describes what teachers want to see when schools reopen.
4. McKinsey and Company has issued "COVID-19 and student learning in the United States: The hurt could last a lifetime".
5. Improved practices can reduce racial disparity. NEPC has issued guidance on discipline and policing practices. 
6. Teaching Tolerance has resources for educators.

SOCIAL SHARES