Education cannot be paused for a pandemic
Washington,
August 19, 2020
The Hill
Education cannot be paused for a pandemic August 19, 2020 By Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. More than our physical health is being affected by this novel coronavirus. With the nation moving towards virtual living to continue social distancing, we are risking under-educating a generation. Children need the option to have an in-person education. There are lessons and experiences a student receives in the classroom that cannot be replicated via technology. Parents are rightfully concerned for the safety of their children and their risk for contracting this coronavirus. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), school-aged children have a slight chance of contracting COVID-19. While researchers are still learning more about this new virus, the CDC reported in July that less than 7 percent of positive cases were for someone age 18 or under. The same study indicates that a child is more likely to be at risk of catching the flu. What happens if a child does not have access to in-person learning and no broadband connection? The lack of in-person instruction could lead to severe educational inequality. Families in low-income communities cannot afford to hire tutors or ensure each child has access to their own computer with reliable internet access to participate in virtual learning. Having at-home virtual learning also comes with the distractions of everyday life. Children need a focused environment to thrive. Natural disasters have not previously rendered Congress immune from ensuring the education of the next generation. This pandemic should be no different. After Hurricane Katrina displaced thousands of families, Congress created a new “Emergency Impact Aid” funding program for school districts that received these students. This program provided grants to school districts and private schools based on each displaced student’s enrollment for the 2005-2006 school year. These funds allowed students to receive a quality education in a new place during a time of crisis. Perhaps this program could be used to serve students who need in-person education this fall? A more innovative approach is already included in the Senate’s HEALS Act through Education Freedom Scholarships. These scholarships allow families to fund their child’s private school tuition, homeschooling expenses, and other educational needs. The HEALS Act provides emergency funding for these scholarships as seed money and would give control of K-12 education back to parents. As a co-sponsor of the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act, the House version of this concept, I believe expanding parental education opportunities is one of the best ways to improve in-person learning for students. |
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