online learning
Districts are spending $1 billion on cyber charter tuition and calling for reform of the system, but efforts at reform have stalled in the state legislature
Philadelphia’s overall public school enrollment dipped by about 4,300 students.
Members and District staff attended the meeting in person for the first time since March. They experienced some technical problems.
The $17 million PHLConnectED will offer Comcast Internet Essentials service to households with K-12 students for two years.
“Lots more people” are engaging in the effort compared to the spring, the superintendent said.
Some say the city and corporate players need to display more urgency.
Given the option to choose all-online learning, parents are seeking more information. Answers will come later.
Most students will attend school in person two days a week; families can opt for a “digital academy.”
Based on a PFT survey’s results, the union suggests a staggered schedule in which students would attend on alternate weeks.
“We’ve never held these conversations in class before,” said a Masterman student.
For a tech skeptic, remote learning has turned out to be a window into fundamental issues about learning and equity.
Parents struggle to ‘do it all’ with kids in virtual school.
The website taking attendance got overwhelmed on the first day.
Superintendent William Hite said he expected unions to be involved in working out when it is safe to reopen schools and under what conditions. He also talked about grading.
Lauren Ballaster is a reading and social studies teacher at William H. Ziegler School in lower Northeast Philadelphia.
Some parents worry that if students believe their grades can’t drop, they will have less motivation to do the work.
New: Globe Theater streaming Shakespeare’s plays, fun activities while home bound from National Geographic
Starting May 4, teachers will be expected to hold three hours of “daily instruction.”
The District is trying to plan a citywide virtual graduation, and maybe even a prom, the superintendent said.
They want a version of school that establishes new, predictable routines — an actual schedule around which they can shape their days.
Wealthier districts have a “10-year head start” on devices, online access, and virtual curriculum.
Parents say they’re ready for more change but want clear and consistent communication.
PSP has organized a fund to buy laptops for charter and Catholic school students who need them.
Teachers and counselors are asked to hold daily “office hours.”
The donation will pay for nearly half the District’s cost of purchasing and distributing laptops for students.
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