School struggles have been highlighted in the news. It appears that many are at odds with one another. What should schools do?
Safety First
Schools cannot be bullied into unsafe conditions. It is critical to take the safety precautions seriously, and to do that and teach children will require creativity, flexibility, and care. No one wants to rush the situation in ways that result in death or long term harm for children or school staffs.
One-size-fits-all rarely works
Don't expect a one-size-fits-all solution to this issue. Every school system is dealing with a different array of concerns, constraints, and opportunities.
Focus on the mission, values, and goals
What are realistic goals during a pandemic situation? How can you reach those goals in child/family-friendly ways that are safe and possible.
Take a long view
The final stage of the pandemic won't be long from now, it's important not to do anything now that is going to negatively affect the long term goals and success of a system. Broken, harmed relationships can really tear at the foundation of a good system, so don't harm those relationships. Instead, get through this leg of the schools year, and focus more on what you'll do to make next year a stellar academic year. I recommend giving children and families the choice to repeat this year of school or go on to the next grade--that will take the edge off the problem. Also, unhealthy, insufficient educational facilities, overcrowded classrooms, staffing shortages, and outdated leadership models need to be addressed.
Identify the big problems
There are many issues at play in schools that need to be fixed and have been exasperated during the pandemic. Every system needs to realistically identify those issues and systematically work to make change. This again will take creativity, and must include the voices of all stakeholders.
Rethink leadership structures and processes
For a long time, I've felt that many leadership structures in education are ineffective and oppressive. In some places, the leaders act like plantation managers rather than collaborative, team members who work with and for stakeholders in creative, modern ways. In many ways, these ineffective leadership structures hold schools back, oppress educational staff, students, and families, and halt the good work possible. This needs to change. In Massachusetts, we see this in some systems and at the state leadership level where it appears that some do not understand who educators are, the conditions many schools are in, and the science behind modern day effective teaching and learning.
No standardized tests
I remain a fan of streamlined, efficient, inexpensive standardized testing as one measure of what's happening in schools, but at this juncture with all the added pressure to teachers, students, families, and other staff members, the testing is unrealistic and oppressive. The current testing model requires substantial staffing requirements which will, in turn, leave many students untended or in over populated classrooms. This will be dangerous and ineffective. The tests are one pressure point that can easily be removed at this time, and removing those tests will likely save money for more important goals.
Potential is everywhere
The good news is that there is potential everywhere to remake schools in ways that truly uplift student learning and good living, and the greatest obstacle to reaching that potential is the outdated leadership models and processes that exist. The will to do well is there. The desire to foster best-possible learning environments is there. The money is there. It's time to be more creative, sensitive, inclusive, responsive, and collaborative rather than combative, close-minded, oppressive, and uncaring. This is possible.