Aston04 said:
1. Virtual learning was a disaster. I've talked to several high school teachers that were getting sub 20% participation in their reg ed classes (at a title one school). Frozen (only could increase) grades didn't help- but on the flip side if grades counted, the failure rate would have been through the roof.
2. Kids won't socially distance at school- no matter how they separate them.
3. If they tried split scheduling- that would be a total disaster because parents can't plan a work schedule around it (and teachers with kids especially)
4. Kids won't wear masks appropriately or clean them appropriately (should be cleaned nightly at a minimum)
5. Teachers will greatly lose effectiveness if they are talking to their class through a mask. I couldn't even understand the pharmacist the other day when he was speaking through a mask. He was merely 6 feet in front of me and I was actively trying to hear him.
6. If you take away extra-curriculars for kids- many will check out from interest in school.
All that sums to: Kids are barely effected medically by covid19. They are more likely to be struck by lightening than to die from it. They need normal school. Teachers that want to take extra precautions (or take leave) should be able to. At risk populations should keep their distance from kids until we have better treatment protocols. And we should move on with life. In the long-term, education in a building is just as essential as having the Walmart building open.
You're spot on with all of this. I teach an AP course (our district did not give any actual grades for the 4th nine weeks...just a "met" or "did not meet" expectations) and the vast majority of my online stuff was exam review. I felt very fortunate that I was basically done with my course before spring break. The ones who were diligent about doing their work were the ones taking the exam...the rest of them pretty much submitted garbage. About 80-85% of my students are seniors, and their class rank was set after the 3rd nine weeks, so they were very much in "coast" mode...can't blame them, honestly. Once mine took their AP exam on May 22, the school year was effectively over.
Starting a year like we finished the last one would be a recipe for disaster, imo. Just as an example, freshman teachers "teaching" kids online who have not even spent one day on their new campus and have no relationship whatsoever with their teacher is very likely not going to be effective.
#5 on your list is not to be sold short...I won't instruct with a mask on. I'll sound like a baritone version of Charlie Brown's teacher, and I'd end up spending a lot of time repeating myself. No thank you.
Furthermore, all of the cooperative learning strategies that are the latest emphasis fly right out the window if there are social distancing mandates. No pods, no in-class group work or activities which basically require physical proximity, none of that is possible. Using manipulatives, calculators, etc. that get used in multiple class periods...having to sterilize those between uses, if mandated, takes up time. I could go on, but won't.
Regular school, like you said, is what needs to happen, but I don't expect very many districts to have the courage to make that particular decision. I'm bracing for a very disruptive year and hoping I'm wrong about that.
