07/25/2020
In early and mid March as schools began to shut down, we were flooded with articles and OpEds about the digital divide and inequities in our educational systems being exacerbated. Teachers from around the country gave examples of how their students did not have adequate technology or internet access to participate in lessons. We heard cries for support of the children of essential workers who did not have anyone to watch them while their parents continued to provide our societies basic needs. All the while, more affluent parents (myself included) culled through the overwhelming number of free online resources and ideas to keep education at home. Parents and guardians were having to choose between work and supporting their children in school. And even more affluent parents hired nannies and tutors.
Here we are, four months later, with a great uncertainty looming over us as parents (and educators), what will the fall look like? With the numbers continuing to grow, when will schools re-open? Will our children be safe?
Again, inequity looms. I have been teaching an optional virtual summer school class for a group of self-selecting recent immigrant student to support their learning of English and meta-cognitive awareness in LAUSD. Despite LAUSD's pronouncement that all students now have access online, over 20% of my students have had to drop or are failing due to the lack of connectivity (I am trying to find work arounds and many are logging on while at work or through their phones).
As most schools are announcing staying virtual or limited opening in the Fall. There are even more inequities than the digital divide. More affluent parents are fleeing public schools.
If I see one more post in a mommy group about creating a pod or hiring a teacher to come to their home, I think I'll scream.
Not only are they no longer properly social distancing, but public schools get per pupil funding. If you pull a students out of school, the school get less money and less teaching positions. The gap will just get bigger! Affluent families (especially those that identify as progressive, liberal, or anti-racist) should be using their energy, influence and dollars to demand more money for the schools, small virtual class sizes for individualized support, more support for working families so parents can be home with their kids (for example, extensions in unemployment, help with rent relief, more SBA loans, and the creation of COVID19 childcare leave programs, etc.), opportunities for extended learning for students that have had 5 months of summer slide and more social workers that are connected to schools that advocate for students whose parents and guardians are marginalized or unable to advocate for their children.
In short, your actions are making a bad situation worse.
