As an employee at Oregon State University, I recently reviewed the summary plan released by our provost concerning the upcoming fall semester. To be honest, the proposal was not what I had anticipated. There was a part of me that naively believed life would resume its usual pace by September, allowing my colleagues and me to return to campus and engage in our usual discussions about classes and students. However, it seems that the forthcoming semester will likely feature a combination of remote and in-person learning to maintain educational standards while ensuring that students can practice appropriate social distancing.
This situation at Oregon State is reflective of a broader trend occurring across the nation. According to NPR, reopening educational institutions will not merely involve unlocking the doors, especially with COVID-19 still posing a significant threat. The challenge of maintaining social distance complicates even the most straightforward procedures.
Take transportation as an example. Just before the pandemic altered our lives, I accompanied my daughter’s kindergarten class to a play. During the bus ride, I texted my partner, saying, “This bus smells like a virus.” In a crowded school bus, it is virtually impossible to maintain even two feet of space, let alone six. This raises pressing questions for school districts: Will they need to increase the number of buses to allow students to spread out, or will parents have to drop off their children, irrespective of their work schedules? These are undoubtedly pressing concerns being considered by educational authorities.
Many schools are now looking at a hybrid model that incorporates both virtual and classroom instruction. What this model looks like will depend significantly on individual school circumstances and the specific needs of students. Recently, New York Governor Angela Reed announced a collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to “reimagine the school experience.” The foundation has championed numerous educational technological innovations, suggesting that while children may not be learning from home as extensively as they are now, they will still engage in remote learning more than they did in the previous academic year.
As a parent, I am eager for my children to return to school. Like many, I find the challenge of teaching them while balancing my work commitments overwhelming. While I will do what it takes to keep them safe and curb the spread of COVID-19, the proposed hybrid model appears to introduce complexities that will make scheduling our lives even more difficult.
It is evident that many families depend on schools and daycare services while they work. For instance, if classes are staggered—some students attending on Monday and Wednesday, others on Tuesday and Thursday, and those with greater needs attending on Fridays—schools can manage social distancing within their available classroom space. Students would learn remotely on days they are not physically present. While this arrangement enhances safety, it complicates life for working parents who are expected to be on-site during the workweek.
According to the NPR report, some schools are prioritizing students’ specific needs over a shifting schedule when determining classroom space. For example, students in special education will receive preferential treatment for in-person instruction. Additionally, schools are considering the emotional well-being of students who have faced trauma, such as losing a family member, and those at risk of domestic violence at home. These students will also be prioritized to access school-funded counseling services.
Ultimately, the paramount consideration is the safety of our children. Achieving this goal will require a multifaceted approach that is still being refined. It is likely that the combination of in-person and remote learning will be part of our new reality as schools strive to navigate the educational landscape amidst the pandemic. Parents will undoubtedly experience frustration in trying to make this system work, and whatever arrangements are established for the fall will likely evolve by winter.
However, amidst this uncertainty, I find some comfort in the thought that, in the blink of an eye, my children transitioned to home learning while my partner and I adapted to remote work during a global crisis. While the situation has been challenging, my family has adjusted, albeit reluctantly. As we approach the fall, we will need to acclimate to yet another new normal: hybrid learning.
Despite the challenges, we will find a way to make it work—but it’s okay to voice our frustrations along the way.
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Summary
The upcoming school year may introduce a hybrid learning model combining remote and in-person education due to COVID-19, creating new challenges for parents and educators alike. Schools are prioritizing student needs while adapting to ensure safety and maintain effective learning environments. As families navigate these changes, the focus remains on the well-being of students during this unprecedented time.