In an ideal world, families would be gearing up for summer vacations and planning for the upcoming school year. However, after months of remote learning due to COVID-19, parents, students, and educators are left feeling anxious and uncertain about what the 2020-2021 school year holds. While all 50 states have begun gradual reopening, the reality is that the novel coronavirus remains a persistent threat. As the CDC released its guidelines for reopening schools, parents have raised concerns about the feasibility of these measures and their implications for student safety.
To adhere to social distancing protocols, schools would need to implement drastic and costly changes. Many individuals who have experienced public schooling firsthand may find these recommendations daunting. “The idea that our children should not share any materials means we’d need to provide separate supplies for every student,” explains Laura Thompson, a second-grade teacher in Texas. “Instead of purchasing a few sets of resources, we would need to buy 25. This is simply not realistic.”
The CDC suggests measures such as mandatory mask-wearing, closed cafeterias and playgrounds, six feet of separation among students, sneeze guards, and designated classrooms for each student throughout the day. However, the existing structure of American schools is ill-equipped to meet these guidelines. As schools prepare to reopen, many will lack the necessary resources, space, and staff to ensure compliance, primarily due to time and financial constraints.
“The CDC’s guidelines, while likely well-intentioned, are completely impractical from a teacher’s perspective,” says Mark Johnson, a third-grade educator who returned to the U.S. from overseas during the pandemic. Regional variations in guidelines add further complexity, leading to questions about how effectively schools can protect students, even in low-infection areas.
To gain insight, we consulted several parents worldwide. “I won’t feel safe sending my daughter back until there’s effective treatment, no active cases, and consistent testing,” remarks Emily, a parent in Belgium. “My child has asthma, and we have seen an uptick in cases of related inflammatory diseases here, which is alarming.”
While research indicates that children without pre-existing conditions are not at higher risk for severe COVID-19 effects, asthma remains a recognized risk factor according to the CDC. Nearly 20 million people in the U.S. have asthma, including about 9 million children. The reopening of schools poses significant risks for these vulnerable groups. “I would have felt more secure with a strict lockdown followed by extensive testing and contact tracing, but the U.S. has not implemented effective measures,” says David, a parent concerned about the current situation.
Many parents express wariness about sending their children back to school under the current administration. “We need reliable information and a well-structured vaccination process,” states Emily. With estimates suggesting a vaccine could take years to develop, the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 remains a major concern for parents.
Some suggest alternative approaches to school reopening, such as outdoor classrooms or staggered schedules with reduced class sizes. In New Zealand, where strict measures reportedly eliminated COVID-19, schools have reopened successfully. “I felt confident sending my child back knowing there’s been no community transmission here,” shares Sarah, a New Zealand mother.
In the U.S., however, mass testing remains a significant hurdle, with the country struggling to conduct sufficient tests. The reality is that many families cannot afford to homeschool, even though the pandemic has made this method attractive to some. Over 40 million Americans have lost jobs, and many families live below the federal poverty line, leaving them with difficult choices: keep their children home and face financial hardships, or send them to school and hope for their safety.
As schools contemplate reopening, it is crucial to protect those who cannot stay home. Some parents may choose to continue homeschooling, benefiting not only their own children but also their peers by reducing classroom sizes. However, this raises concerns about funding, as budgets are often based on student enrollment numbers. To address these challenges, schools might consider offering flexible options that allow families to decide between remote learning or in-person attendance.
In summary, the path to reopening schools is fraught with uncertainty and challenges. It will require flexibility from educators, parents, and policymakers to navigate this unprecedented situation effectively. Ultimately, the landscape of education may look different for everyone as we adapt to the new normal.
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