The minute by minute changes in minds, direction, policy and even promises have been hard to keep up with, resulting in Newswire’s delay this week. If you care about kids, read and weep — then dry your eyes and get your battle gear on.
A CHEAP AND CRUEL TRICK. The latest sleight of hand comes sadly from the Biden Administration. Just yesterday, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said “Our goal is to open 50% of all schools by April 30th for one day a week.” So the goal of opening “a majority of schools” in the first 100 days is now defined as half of schools open ONE day a week. Also, as we reported upon hearing this and as Education Week confirms, FIFTY PERCENT OF SCHOOLS ARE ALREADY OPEN (are we yelling?) Those 50%, however, do not represent the majority of students, who are locked in urban districts that refuse to open.
ERADICATE OR EDUCATE? An even more absurd, sad, and cruel commentary for parents and kids was provided by the Associated Press, who spoke to more urban school leaders, who are now predicting that they WON’T EVEN COMPLETELY OPEN UNTIL fall (are we yelling, again?) — and for some, that’s fall of 2022! First they said they’d sanction a return when there were very low local infection rates. Then they demanded totally new ventilation systems for all buildings and no classroom work required for teachers who had anyone in their household “at risk,” as a condition for reopening. NOW some are saying nothing short of the “total eradication” of the virus will get teachers back into classrooms. This is not a game — closed schools have real and severe learning, earning and emotional consequences for kids. Said one parent, they are “daily seeing kids experiencing a huge surge in mental and emotional health crises. It’s a social, emotional and academic crisis.”
THE IRONY is that the very schools providing superior education results to economically disadvantaged kids and those of color and for far less cost than public schools, are suffering serious enrollment declines. That we would not use the arsenal at our disposal to help kids is a national disgrace. Catholic schools are open in person in most states (and wherever the government will let them — eg NOT California) but without jobs or security parents are not working enough to pay for them. The 6.4% enrollment drop nationally due to Covid is not reflected in cities like Boston, which after experiencing an initial drop of -17.6%, experienced an enrollment surge of 4,000+ students (+15.2%) when public school parents fled to Catholic schools to avoid remote learning. But, really, President Biden? This is your time to shine. The schools that educated you stand ready to support kids. Rather than rely on failed urban systems to open — when Covid is eradicated — it is time to invite the Catholic schools to take all they can fit. Use that stimulus money to support it. This is an emergency.
WHO CARES ABOUT TEACHERS? Well for one, we do, and so do a majority of Americans. But that doesn’t justify ordering them to stay home. Our angst, concern and outrage at reopening demands do not in any way suggest we don’t care for teachers’ safety. The reality is thousands of schools are opened and operating safely (more on that later today in Forbes). Commentator Noah Rothman writing on Twitter put it this way:
RANDI SAYS SHE CAN HELP. A curious commentary in the New York Times quotes AFT boss Weingarten as saying she “wants to get students back in the classroom,” and that she’s spending day and night talking to her state affiliates. (So innocent, so caring) as if she is not RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FAILURE TO OPEN. Unions, not teachers, are to blame for this mess.
AS GARY KNEW, THE UNION IS NOT THE TEACHER. No matter how many times pundits say otherwise, teachers are following their union lead, trusting that they know best — or they have no choice. If you don’t believe us, just consider that when Gary Beckner started the Association for American Educators in 1994, knowing that teachers were tired of union politics, ideological biases and lack of appreciation for parental rights in their children’s education, never would he have dreamed that hundreds of thousands would turn to AAE away from the traditional labor unions. AAE ‘is the largest national, nonunion, professional educator organization, advancing the profession by offering a modern approach to educator empowerment and advocacy — promoting professionalism, collaboration, and excellence without a partisan agenda.’ (There are others individually operating in states, too!) Sadly, Gary passed away this month. His courage and dedication to creating a professional option for teachers is often under-appreciated in the public state. We are saddened for the personal loss thousands are feeling, especially his family, but also for the loss from the public square of his brave and eloquent voice. May he rest in peace.
SOME MUSICAL INSPIRATION for you to “Fight The Power,” from the Isley Brothers.
Keep fighting. Until next week.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjaOi0ITNyU
Founded in 1993, the Center for Education Reform aims to expand educational opportunities that lead to improved economic outcomes for all Americans — particularly our youth — ensuring that conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom and flexibility throughout U.S. education. We’re always delighted to hear from our readers…suggestions, questions and even the occasional complaint!