Over the last year, a major recurring news story has focused on schools across the country developing their reopening plans.  Everyone wants to know when, how and why didn’t it happen already.  As of May 24, 2021, New York City and Los Angeles Unified school districts have announced their plan to fully reopen in September.  The push to reopen is based on the increase of vaccinated people and updated guidance by the CDC.

This is certainly promising news but still leaves some families with concerns and limited options.  For example, the NYC school district is eliminating the remote learning option.  NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio is in full support and has stated, “you can’t have a full recovery without full strength schools, everyone back sitting in those classrooms, kids learning again.”  It’s disappointing to see NYC, which has the largest school district in the United States, reverting back to what they know and not embracing the possibilities.

This move to eliminate all remote learning returns the education system back one-size-fits-all learning.  I would agree the majority of students will prosper when provided with in-person learning but we can’t just rely on this model.  How are we differentiating the needs of learners? We need a system that works for all!

Why do we always return to what works but not what we know works?  Without a doubt there have been challenges with remote learning but we also need to celebrate the successes.  We were able to grant access to education to numerous students who otherwise would have lost out.  

Do you know how much access to education a student has when they are sick, suspended or unable to attend for a variety of reasons?  Typically students are provided with 1-2 hours per day with a tutor, while others may only receive a check in once per week for 30 minutes to answer questions, turn in assignments and receive new ones. This is learning barrier that we can control to some extent.   

There have points during the pandemic that students had to switch from in person to remote due to quarantining.  They were offered the opportunity to participate in a full remote class within their grade level.  Remote learning eliminated or greatly reduced barriers to learning that typically would have preventing this student from learning, especially those with extreme medical conditions.

Explain to me we are pushing so hard to get back to the schooling that so many complained about prior to the pandemic?  Why are we afraid to admit something new may be working for some students? How do we make bold changes in our education system?  Can we stop reverting back to one-size-fits-all learning?  We need to take what we have learned over the past year and half and implement a more balanced education system.  Our students deserve it.  Our parents will embrace it.   

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