@herondreams no easy answers indeed. I understand your point of how difficult - if not impossible some subjects are to teach if not in person. I formerly was a Theater instructor- I have no idea how you do theater games and rehearsals via Zoom. However, as a parent and a teacher I also feel a student's physical health needs to come first- all else is useless if the student is not physically safe and healthy. So unless there is some treatment or vaccination ( there won't be a vaccination) by August/September- there is NO WAY I am putting my child in a classroom. I have one HS student and one student heading for Freshman year in college. We don't know enough about this disease- there is some weird inflammatory disease that has been post infection of COVID19 severely affecting kids 20 and under that is just coming to the surface now. Some of those kids have died- those kids did not necessarily have underlying conditions. Not to mention- some have long term repercussions- like weakened heart ailments. I do absolutely understand your point- that some kids have homes that are not safe- and in those cases those children should be found safe housing and safe environment- but school part of the day- will not be it. It can be made safer- not safe- until treatment and/or vaccination is possible. Safer- doesn't cut if for me- since the physical consequences can be dire. Yes, there will be academic consequences- yes it is bad if students are out of school for prolonged periods of time. Online learning is not optimal, however, at this point its the safest option. Hopefully some medical advancements will be made between now and school start. I hope each state and each parent carefully weigh the options and consequences.
Folks who are worried about sending their children to schools can investigate online learning options, which many states offer. If your state or school district doesn't offer this, you can advocate for one. I know there's an online high school here in North Carolina that's free to everyone. Some colleges are online only, and I'm sure state schools like mine will have some online only courses--people with economic privilege should have no trouble finding adequate education. But I've taught children in real poverty, and I know that for many, many children, online/distance education=no education. This is not a level playing field. Quality education must be provided both for those who need to isolate and for those who cannot learn in isolation.
Before you read the following, please understand that I validate and support people who feel the need to remain isolated to protect themselves and loved ones from COVID-19 exposure. Since my own mother has high blood pressure and diabetes, I wish she'd do far more than she's doing to protect herself. I am aware of the awful stories out there, and I take this virus and its effects seriously.
But I do not support public schools going completely online/distance learning--at all. Of course there will be risks involved, and again, our districts and state education departments must provide quality distance learning for those for whom in-person instruction is too great a risk. And yes, there's still a great deal to be understood about this virus, but it is not deadly for everyone. Far too many children will suffer greatly if they are unable to go to school, and public resources to meet their needs are woefully inadequate as it is.
I would like to share our at home learning experience. I have a 12 and 15 yr old. School closed March 13 and hasn't re-opened. I am in a small town where people have mostly middle and upper middle class incomes. It is mostly white. We moved here 3 years ago from SC. My 15v yr old who is quite comfortable with independent study has donewell. Assignments came online to him, he did them, handed them in and that was that. Not a lot, if any instruction, nor group assignments. My 12 yr old, she also did fine but greatly missed instruction time and interactive time with other students. She was encouraged to work with other students. It worked out OK. I would like to suggest there may be many ways to education/learning that aren't tied to a specific building or a schedule like we know. (start at 8, end at 3, after school sports/activites/dinner and 3 hours of homework) What if there were a way that some classes could be taught on line, students met in libraries or at school buildings in smaller groups, some younger students arrive at school settings/schools that have all the options like a home does, kitchens where you can prepare or purchase prepared meals. I suspect I sound like a dreamer. But I am not convinced that the way we have done it prior to the pandemic is the only or best way. I have often heard myself and other say - I'm tired of the rat race. So let's find a way for it to be different, structured, less structured. I once again may be a dreamer or delusional I just feel that the place we find ourselves in today is a Re-set, the moment the world put in the clutch so to say, examined our systems and adjusted. it won't look the same in every community and there will be a period of transition. Maybe a grand opportunity. Just some thoughts. Maybe naive.
@cc21 and I have talked about this at length. There are alternative modes of education: unschooling, democratic schools, and Sudbury model schools to name a few. I too have felt like the pandemic will present a reset for education, starting with many parents wondering to themselves, "Is there a better way to do this?" And you're one of those parents! Good for you!
Note: Sudbury schools actually do look like what you've imagined: homey, with a central kitchen, a cozy library, and nooks and crannies where students can spontaneously meet up and teach each other (or be instructed by a grownup).
@coyote thank you. I would like to learn more about the Sudbury schools. Would you point me in that direction?
Both of my children were in a public Montessori school in SC. Very good school - not exactly what I dream possible but definitely a bridge to something more...
our current school district has been discussing 2 days in with half the students 1 day off for cleaning and 2 days on for the fall. Not my ideal choice.
I am open to other options. I would be fine with my 15 year old doing it on line from home.
@coyote thank you. I would like to learn more about the Sudbury schools. Would you point me in that direction?
Both of my children were in a public Montessori school in SC. Very good school - not exactly what I dream possible but definitely a bridge to something more...
our current school district has been discussing 2 days in with half the students 1 day off for cleaning and 2 days on for the fall. Not my ideal choice.
I am open to other options. I would be fine with my 15 year old doing it on line from home.
Thank you Billy Mike. I don’t feel brave. I just feel - there has to be a better way. We need to get un-stuck from traditional ways of educating.
This is the website for the original Sudbury Valley School in Framingham, Massachusetts. They have a blog and other resources about the Sudbury approach: https://sudburyvalley.org.
If you google Pam Laricchia, you'll find some good writing about unschooling.
Thanks for filling in some gaps about alternatives, coyote!
Pam Laricchia's site is: https://livingjoyfully.ca/ -- lots of great info and guidance there on unschooling. Blake Boles is also a great resource https://www.blakeboles.com/ - I am reading his new book now ("Why are you still sending your kids to school?"), which you might find of interest.
Yes, we have talked about this a good bit here on the forum. I have done a lot of research, but have not had the "guts" to make a big change to unschooling or other alternative. I totally agree with you that there has to be a better way than the current rat race. Both of my girls (10 and 13) are in traditional school, but have struggled with the structure and requirements and personally, I feel overwhelmed much of the time trying to keep them on track. They both also have anxiety which manifests differently for each. We switched my older daughter to a different school this past year and she was doing better and adjusting, but then the pandemic hit, so that threw off any routines/progress, etc.
School at home has been a complete bust for us - lots avoidance from both of them. With my husband and I both working from home (I typically work from home, but half-time and he switched to 100% work at home for the foreseeable future) we were not able to "get our act together" to keep them on track. I know that has been a problem for many folks during this uncertain time, so we will relax this summer and regroup for fall. However, I totally agree with you that the pandemic is an opportunity to rethink how things are done and I think many people will be taking alternate routes based on safety of returning in the fall, etc.
I love the idea of a Sudbury school, too. None are near us, as far as I am aware.
Good luck with your research. I agree that this whole pandemic is an opportune time for new ways of thought about education to come forward. Fingers-crossed!