It has been said, “Life’s a gamble,” however; we can take actions in life that tip the odds in our favor. Our children’s education has been in turmoil since Spring. Many parents are betting that school returns to normal by the end of the year. Here’s a question for all parents: Is waiting to see what happens a gamble you are willing to take with your children’s education?
This is a critical time for parents to assume the power position in their children’s learning. Parents are being told what districts are going to do to educate their children. Very few education administrators are discussing with parents what’s best for their children. The time for open and effective two-way dialogue is now. Parents must advocate for their children and district officials must listen to parents and hear them.
Virtual learning remains controversial and frustrating for many teachers, students and parents. Concurrently, many students and teachers are thriving with virtual learning. Returning to the classroom is also controversial, yet there are teachers and students who are learning and are happy having returned to campus. These examples speak to the importance of having learning options that parents and students can select from. Options should not be limited to online or virtual only. In addition to the hybrid mix offered by many districts, there is room for other ways to approach teaching and learning depending on the needs of each learner.
For parents and teachers who agree, homebound services should be considered. With proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), homebound services can safely be offered to select students. Asynchronous virtual learning that allows learners to secure assignments and complete them self-paced with virtual, classroom or homebound teacher support can allow teachers to plan quality time with students. Flexible school hours, shorter days, and plug and play lessons can take significant stress off teachers and allow students to engage in learning at a slower pace and seek help as needed. Finally, districts should consider hiring educators to serve as online and in-person tutors to provide additional support to learners who need it.
Education administrators may argue the aforementioned suggestions are cost prohibitive. I respectfully disagree. Since COVID-19 started, America has found trillions of dollars to accomplish economic and healthcare goals. Our children’s education is equally, and in many cases, more important than infusing the economy. Our children will be the one’s paying these debts decades from now. A sound education is minimally owed to them.
Parents should not hesitate to speak to education administrators if they feel their children’s needs are not being met. Parents should offer suggestions they feel might be helpful with their kids and be afforded an open dialogue with decision-makers. I caution parents to not be intimidated by school faculty when advocating for their children. Also, be persistent if you are asking for reasonable accommodation for your child. Too much time has already been lost from our children’s learning. If children are in a service provision method that isn’t working for them, they are falling further behind.
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