Needed Course Correction: Reopening Schools Statement

Environmental & Science Education
STEM
Health
Medicine
Education
Schools
Edward Hessler

This is in the It's About Time Department.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the American Association of School Superintendents, which originally urged schools to reopen in the fall, noting in particular the value of physical presence, has released a new statement. The previous statement was a one-size-fits-all solution and free of evidence.

You may read it here. While noting the benefits of physical presence (no one denies this) the revised statement relies on using evidence before schools make a decision to re-open. Two money quotes: "Science should drive decision-making on safely reopening schools," and that, "Public health agencies must make recommendations based on evidence, not politics." 

If you are involved in schools as educator, administrator, parent/guardian, staff it is worth reading.-- short and to the point.

I was very pleased to see the "e" word: evidence, an idea central to educating.