The Educational Divide

Schools are trying to start across the country. Some have opened, others opened and then went fully online, while others are a bit late in starting.

Unfortunately, for many students, no choice is offered for this year. In my school district, in person schooling begins next Monday but many students have already started. Why you might wonder?

Those families who have a good computer, decent internet, and who do not want their children to fall behind have already started them either in online classes or some form of home schooling because they do not want their children to fall behind.

These are the same families who enrolled their students in some sort of educational program to finish out the previous school year. These students have not lost much ground while the others, the ones who do not have a decent internet or a computer or parents who are unable to enroll their children in alternative programs have gotten behind.

I have at least one student whose mother has already told me that they do not have a computer at home. I think they have a cell phone but before you ask, many people in Alaska have a basic cell phone plan. I think their plan only allows phone calls and texting. I don’t think allows them to access the internet for information.

Our district is purchasing thumb drives for students so they can download videos and extra materials to help them through the work they have to complete at home. In addition, the school is looking at arranging to let student borrow computers to take home so they can complete assignments such as typing up drafts for English, or answering questions from their history class. Unfortunately, we are still starting late.

This shows the huge educational divide among most public schools in America. If the parents have the money to purchase a good computer, affored good internet, and arrange for schooling, their children will not fall behind unless they choose not to monitor them. Based on the parents I know who do this, they are their monitoring their children and making sure they meet deadlines.

The parents who do not have the money for internet or computers want so much for their own children but in these times of uncertainty may not be able to afford anything because they are trying to pay their rent or put food on their table. They struggle daily.

The pandemic has emphasized the educational divide between those who can afford to keep their children on track and those who cannot. The pandemic has put more families at risk of homelessness and/or joblessness and has removed any safety net they might have had before.

Teachers will do their best to help students catch up or at least make up some of learning they lost in spring but it will be difficult because things change from day to day and week to week. In addition, my school has added in some time to work on helping students strengthen skills and regain some of the lost ground.

Will the divide ever go away? I don’t think so. In fact, I think the repercussions of the pandemic will remain for many, many, years and it will take a long time for students to make headway. Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear. Have a great day.