The Daily What Will It Take to Reopen Schools?
Feb 10, 2021
Dana Goldstein, a national education correspondent for The New York Times, discusses the challenges of reopening schools during the pandemic. She highlights the Biden administration's ambitious goal of resuming K-8 in-person learning while navigating fierce opposition from teachers' unions. Goldstein emphasizes the emotional stakes for vulnerable students and the varying perceptions of safety among parents. The conversation reveals political tensions within the Democratic Party and the intricate dynamics of teacher safety versus educational needs.
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Unmet Teacher Demands
- Schools have received federal funding for safety measures like masks and nurses.
- However, community virus control, a key teacher demand, remains largely unachieved.
Teacher Union Influence
- Teachers' unions wield significant influence over school reopening decisions, especially in Democrat-controlled areas.
- This influence is less pronounced in states like Texas, Florida, and Arizona, where unions hold less power.
The Case for Reopening
- Remote learning is failing many students, especially disadvantaged ones, impacting their academic, emotional, and mental health.
- The Biden administration argues that school closures harm children and the broader economy.