|
|
|
The views expressed on this page are
solely
those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County
News Online
|
|
rawpixel
NPR Ed
U.S. Pediatricians Call For In-Person School This Fall
June 29, 2020
Anya Kamanetz
The nation's pediatricians have come out with a strong statement in
favor of bringing children back to the classroom this fall wherever and
whenever they can do so safely. The American Academy of Pediatrics'
guidance "strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the
coming school year should start with a goal of having students
physically present in school."
The guidance says "schools are fundamental to child and adolescent development and well-being."
The AAP cites "mounting evidence" that transmission of the coronavirus
by young children is uncommon, partly because they are less likely to
contract it in the first place.
On the other hand, the AAP argues that based on the nation's experience
this spring, remote learning is likely to result in severe learning
loss and increased social isolation. Social isolation, in turn, can
breed serious social, emotional and health issues: "child and
adolescent physical or sexual abuse, substance use, depression, and
suicidal ideation." Furthermore, these impacts will be visited more
severely on Black and brown children, as well as low-income children
and those with learning disabilities.
The guidance for returning to in-person schooling includes
recommendations about physical distancing, cleaning and disinfection,
hand-washing, and using outdoor spaces whenever possible.
The AAP argues that offering elementary school children the opportunity
to go to school every day should be given due consideration over
spacing guidelines if capacity is an issue: "Schools should weigh the
benefits of strict adherence to a 6-feet spacing rule between students
with the potential downside if remote learning is the only alternative."
And, it also argues that masks are probably not practical for children
younger than middle school unless they can wear a mask without
increased face touching.
The guidelines do note that adult school staff are more at risk
compared to young children and need to be able to distance from other
adults as much as possible — no in-person faculty meetings, no class
visits by parents. And they emphasize the need to make accommodations
for students who are medically fragile or have special health care
needs or disabilities.
However, these guidelines don't necessarily address the health concerns
of America's teachers or their willingness to return to in-person
teaching. Federal data show nearly a third of teachers are over 50,
putting them in a higher risk category when it comes to the disease.
Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, for example, recently
announced its reopening plans, offering families a choice between two
days a week of in-person classes or an all-remote schedule plus extra
intervention on a third day for students who need it. The county's
three educator unions resisted, arguing in a statement that remote
learning should continue. "Our educators are overwhelmingly not
comfortable returning to schools," said Tina Williams, president of
Fairfax County Federation of Teachers. "They fear for their lives, the
lives of their students and the lives of their families."
|
|
|
|
