School After COVID
Since they first closed schools last March because of the COVID-19 pandemic, educators have made changes and adjustments to schooling to keep students safe and healthy. How many of these adjustments are here to stay?
In one change, many school districts are looking at doing away with snow days in order to fit in as many instructional days as possible. New York City’s Department of Education has told parents and students not to expect snow days this winter. This year has shown that it is possible for students who cannot make it into school safely to just attend class over Zoom.
But some districts, like ours, have stated that they will keep snow days in an attempt to allow kids to just be kids during an already difficult time. Wallingford-Swarthmore School District Superintendent Lisa Palmer canceled school Thursday, December 17, because of snow.
The pandemic has revealed many of the racial and economic disparities that have been embedded into the United States’ education system for a long time. Teachers and parents alike worry that, when students return to school, the gap between low-performing students and high-performing students will widen.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 4.4 million households with children lack consistent access to a computer and 3.7 million lack internet access. Native American and Black children are the most likely to not have internet or computer access. More than ever, a student’s grades and ability to succeed in school depend on their access to resources. Programs like Strath Haven High School’s 1:1 Chromebook initiative ensure Chromebooks for all students, but what about students elsewhere who don’t have access to technology outside of school? A kid who can’t email their teachers for help is more likely to struggle with assignments and tests. A kid whose internet access is on-and-off won’t be able to turn assignments in on time. These children will fall behind, and by the time they do go back to school, they’ll struggle even more.
David Grande, president of our district’s school board, expressed via an email interview that helping disadvantaged students is a top priority for the district. “Our education committee has been regularly reviewing our educational plan to ensure that we are not only meeting our students’ needs but are working to mitigate any gaps in student learning,” he wrote.
It is evident that the pandemic has changed everyone’s lives; many things will be different after COVID is brought under control. It is crucial that schools and educators move forward with the intent to encourage education policies that support students from all walks of life so that no student will be left behind.
Funmi Omotosho is an 11th grader at Strath Haven High School.
