While physically opening schools at the beginning of the 2020–2021 school year is the goal of most districts, the decision of when to reopen school buildings must be rooted in health and safety and not based on an arbitrary start date or any other priority. ET, © Copyright 2021 National Education Association, "All Hands on Deck: Initial Guidance Regarding Reopening School Buildings. NEA believes the federal guidelines on reopening schools (issued on a basic flow-chart) in May are vague and inadequate. If this damage goes unchecked, nearly 2 million educators—one-fifth of the workforce—could lose their jobs over the next three years. Communities across the country are grappling with how to safely reopen school buildings and college campuses. COVID-19 Legal FAQ Update – Colorado Proposition 118. Students and educators transitioned - practically overnight  -  to online distance learning. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of Too many students were not getting the instruction they needed, exacerbated by inadequate access to the necessary technology. "We have a unique opportunity" the guidance says, "to create schools and campuses that are unequivocally resolute in their commitment to student learning, beacons of service and partnership to communities, and respected and sought-after institutions of employment. Recent News. Built around four basic principles -  health expertise, educator voice, access to protection, and leading with equity - the document lays out what schools need to do to prepare for reopening, and how they can make their reopening succeed far beyond the first few weeks of the new school year. NEA-NH is asking that, in order “to build confidence that our schools are safe for the return of in-person instruction, all districts will need to acquire and distribute personal protective equipment and enact regular deep-cleaning procedures that meet the original CDC standards.” Blog NEA Initial Guidance for Reopening Schools. August 3, 2020. By Amanda Menas. Once schools are marked for reopening, districts should then spare no effort to equip them with all the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and disinfectants to keep students and staff safe. "And we cannot properly reopen schools if funding is slashed and students don’t have what they need to be safe, learn and succeed.". We need to dismantle unjust systems. States are currently reviewing potential models that maximize both learning - whether in-person or continued remote instruction - and health and safety. We need to fully fund public schools. professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of As the COVID 19 pandemic continues to intensify, parents, educators, and communities are waiting to see how … Continued The National Education Association (NEA) believes that any reopening model has to not only ensure the health and safety of students and staff, but also prioritize long term strategies on student learning and educational equity. Schools reopening: Teachers unions blasted by Digby Jones over COVID complaints - 'Shame!' public education. The pandemic’s continuing fallout could make inequities far worse....The nation cannot ignore the opportunity to help ensure that the students who will be returning to their school buildings all return to equitable and just - and safe - educational experiences.". We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, provide ads, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. Share 566. Alex Wong—Getty Images Biden, who earned vocal endorsements from the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers, had said he would nominate a former public school teacher to be Education … "The American economy cannot recover if schools can’t reopen," said NEA President Lily Eskelsen García. "Our priorities as a nation must be re-evaluated," NEA's guidance says. Alaska public schools exist because they are the most effective places to facilitate and foster student learning. public education. SCHOOL teachers unions are threatening to refuse to … NEA provides guidance and resources for returning to classrooms safely, and with an emphasis on racial and social justice. NEA president: Trump's plan to reopen schools is dangerous for students and teachers ... Reopening our schools full time is an admirable goal, and one … By the end of March, COVID-19 had forced public schools in 48 states and the District of Columbia to close. Accordingly, state and local governments should listen closely to science and public health experts for more specific guidance. We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, provide ads, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. Reopening Schools During Pandemic. But to attack the inequities exacerbated by the pandemic, our priorities as a nation must also be reevaluated. Cardona has been an advocate of in-person learning for K-12 students while adopting safety measures to prevent the spread of … Built around four basic principles – health expertise, educator voice, access to protection, and leading with equity – the document lays out what schools need to do to prepare for reopening. NEA has And the pandemic has highlighted the vast inequalities of the U.S. educational system, particularly severe in rural areas and communities of color. With School Reopening a 'National Priority,' Biden Picks a Former Teacher as Education Secretary ... for the first time in a long time,” Becky Pringle, NEA president, told TIME in November. Many schools across the country will in all likelihood reopen in the fall for the 2020-21 school year. Jun 30 2020 July 1, 2020. education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. COVID-19 Legal FAQ Update – Pregnancy Accommodations. Jill Biden hears educators’ top concerns around reopening schools. Pediatricians walk back school-reopening stance as WHO gives dire warning WHO expert warns school reopening shouldn’t become a “political football.” Beth Mole - Jul 13, 2020 10:29 pm UTC NEA pushes for school reopening task force. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to our schools, our economy, and our nation’s families, exacerbating racial inequities and placing a disproportionate burden on communities of color throughout the country. 10 responses to “ Mitch McConnell’s 5 terrible ideas for reopening schools ” "All Hands on Deck" identifies several necessary preconditions for reopening, including increased. School Custodians Are Essential Frontline Workers For Our Students, NEA Member Connections Help Sustain Educators During Crisis, COVID-19 Stimulus Package Helps Students and Educators, REGISTER NOW - Webinar: Distance Learning Pro Tips on 1/11, 7 p.m. NEA strongly opposes waiving school districts’ and higher education institutions’ liability for providing safe conditions for teaching and learning. NEA has COVID-19 has already done more damage in three months than a recession that lasted for a year and a half. School Reopening: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had also issued guidelines on reopening of schools wherein states and UTs have been given powers to … "All Hands on Deck" pinpoints specific actions states, districts, and schools can take to promote equity, health, and safety, and avoid the ruinous budget cuts that crippled public schools after the Great Recession. The National Education Association (NEA) is more than 3 million people—educators, students, activists, workers, parents, neighbors, friends—who believe in opportunity for all students and in the power of public education to transform lives and create a more just and inclusive society. This is hardly surprising. We encourage educators to seek out opportunities to engage in dialogue and unlearn biases and deficit ideologies about students, parents, and communities. A guide to intentionally planning for school success during COVID-19 and beyond with health, safety, student learning, and equity at the forefront. As the #RedforEd protests have demonstrated so powerfully over the past two years, educator voice can bring about real positive change in how the nation invests in its schools. Once schools are marked for reopening, districts should then spare no effort to equip them with all the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and disinfectants to keep students and staff safe. President-elect Joe Biden speaks about safely reopening schools during the coronavirus pandemic at a campaign event Sept. 2, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. In addition to the urgency around equity, NEA's guidance is also rooted in health expertise, educator voice, and access to protection. The economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic jeopardizes that progress, even threatening a calamitous return to the austerity measures that crippled schools following the Great Recession a decade ago. With the schools set to reopen for in-person classes, Athol Teachers Association President Mary Grutchfield said, “We’re going to address the School Committee on Wednesday, and implore they take a re-vote on the reopening of school.” NEA Initial Guidance for Reopening Schools (Click on the photo for document) » Back to CEA Home. Site, you consent to our use of cookies educators transitioned - practically overnight - online... Deficit ideologies about students, parents, and with an emphasis on racial and social.! Effective replacement for in-person learning and support instruction - and health and safety, state and local affiliates school... Opposes waiving school districts ’ and higher education institutions ’ liability for providing safe conditions for teaching nea reopening schools learning McConnell... Over COVID complaints - 'Shame! distance learning use this site, you consent our. 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