Getting Smart Podcast 293 - Beth Rabbitt and Asaf Bitton on the State of Health and the Parabola Project
In this week’s episode, Tom is talking with Dr. Beth Rabbitt and Dr. Asaf Bitton about the state of global health, how it relates to schools, and a new initiative called the Parabola Project, which offers education leaders tools and strategies to minimize health risks while maximizing learning when reopening schools.
Dr. Beth Rabbitt is the CEO of The Learning Accelerator, a national non-profit that is working to make the “potential” possible and practical for every teacher and learner. Underpinning TLA’s work is a drive to ensure that each student receives an effective, equitable, and engaging education that supports them to reach their full, unique potential.
Dr. Asaf Bitton is Executive Director of Ariadne Labs, a joint center for health systems innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Together, Dr. Beth Rabbitt and Dr. Asaf Bitton have partnered to launch The Parabola Project to help schools minimize COVID-19 health risks while maximizing learning.
Listen in as Tom speaks with Beth Rabbitt and Asaf Bitton about what schools should be doing during the pandemic, and what the current research shows.
Key Takeaways:
[:10] About today’s episode with Beth Rabbitt and Asaf Bitton.
[1:05] Tom welcomes Beth and Asaf to the podcast!
[1:24] Dr. Bitton shares about Ariadne Labs; their mission, vision, and what they have accomplished thus far.
[2:27] Dr. Beth Rabbitt speaks about The Learning Accelerator (TLA); their mission, vision, and what they have accomplished thus far. She also shares about the origin of The Parabola Project.
[6:50] Should kids be in school right now? Dr. Bitton shares his insights.
[9:03] What can schools do to safeguard staff members in an in-person school setting?
[10:51] Dr. Bitton’s thoughts on the risk associated with staff members’ circles of interaction outside of a school setting.
[13:43] Practices that can be put in place to minimize transmission risk.
[15:07] Beth offers some suggestions on how superintendents could frame a community dialogue to bridge the gap between parents who want their children back in school and teachers with concerns about returning to a public setting.
[18:08] Should schools be paying attention to testing, tracking, and tracing when it comes to COVID-19? And if so, how might they?
[20:04] What could school districts and the government be doing better? Does Dr. Bitton see things getting better in the next few months in terms of a coordinated public health response?
[23:34] What Beth is telling schools about sports.
[25:27] If a school or a district doesn’t have room to bring all of their students back in a safe and distant way, is a hybrid schedule still the best approach?
[27:12] Dr. Bitton’s advice for local health officials and school officials on how they can build a sense of trust about the path forward in terms of precautions, protocols, vaccinations, and strategies.
[31:31] How should school and system leaders think about the gaps that seem to be accelerated for the most vulnerable students?
[34:44] Dr. Bitton offers some holiday advice to keep in mind in the coming months.
[36:43] Where to learn more about The Parabola Project.
[37:33] Tom thanks Dr. Rabbit and Dr. Bitton for both joining the podcast.
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