Map release gets bumped up to 5 pm; school systems work through access to computers, internet - West Virginia MetroNews

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As the first week of school proceeds during a pandemic, the state schools superintendent acknowledged not everything — particularly remote learning — is going perfectly.

But Superintendent Clayton Burch said at least one factor has improved.

“The good news is, 5 o’clock release of the map on Saturday, so that should help some,” Burch told state board members today.

That’s a reference to the color-coded map that shows whether schools may open or have extracurricular activities for the following week. Nine of 55 counties had to start the school year with remote learning because they were designated orange or red.

The map had been released at 9 p.m. Saturdays, but from now on it will move up a few hours after some parental complaints that the notification has been late when adjustments for Monday morning are necessary.

Burch said other challenges will also need attention and adjustment.

His assessment came after state school board member Debra Sullivan, a former principal at Charleston Catholic High School, asked a series of questions about students’ internet and computer needs as much learning takes place outside classrooms.

“Are all students able to connect right now? Is there a lag time? How long is it going to be? How confident are we that all children who need them have laptops to start school? What’s the timeline? What’s the cost? Where are the funds coming from?” Sullivan asked.

She also asked about a state initiative to provide 1,000 wifi hotspots at schools, colleges and libraries across the state. Gov. Jim Justice announced that 848 free wifi access locations have now been activated across the state through the Governor’s Kids Connect initiative.

“We read and hear that sometimes buses are being used to transport children to hotspots. So is the plan to have children sitting on the buses to in the parking lot doing their work? How long will the buses be parked, and who’s supervising them?”

Burch responded that the wifi hotspots are not meant to replace classroom instruction.

“It’s a Band-Aid,” Burch said. “I mean let’s all be real clear, that’s all it is, is a Band-Aid.”

But even those who intentionally chose virtual school — online learning — may be finding it’s not perfect, Burch said. The superintendent said 70,000 families opted for virtual instruction.

“We’re already seeing them dropping. We’re already seeing them drop out of virtual school, come back into in-person,” Burch said. “They don’t want to be in the virtual. Children all don’t learn that way.”

He later said, “We have some dropping and contacting us after the first couple of days saying it is not what they thought. It is quite difficult. Virtual school is quite difficult.”

And on computer access, Burch said some counties hadn’t anticipated widespread need to issue them because they were working toward in-classroom instruction.

“Not every county ever anticipated getting computers out to everybody. They did for virtual,” he said.

Preparation for computer access has been greatest at high school and middle school levels, he said, and more spotty for elementary school.

“So even if we massively got those out quickly, we would have a large group of children and families who just, I’m not sure how useful a tool it would be for them if they hadn’t used them on and on and on,” Burch said.

Burch said his own children have already had to sit on the front stoop of their school because his home doesn’t have internet access at his home. “They have a means to get there, but what about the children who don’t?” Burch said.

Continuing to address Sullivan’s questions, Burch said it’s unclear how many students have needed buses to get them to a wifi signal point. The superintendent said he’s heard more descriptions of buses being used to transport meals to students.

“For those that can use it, I think it’s great,” Burch said. “But I think it’s brought to light another issue we have and that is continual inequities we have with those who have access and those who don’t.”

In remarks at today’s state board meeting, Fred Albert, president of the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia, said supplies remain a concern.

He told a story of a senior who missed classes on Day 1 because of connectivity issues.

“We’re still getting calls every day from concerned parents, concerned teachers, concerned service personnel, that they don’t feel quite equipped,” Albert said.

September 10, 2020 at 04:15AM
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Map release gets bumped up to 5 pm; school systems work through access to computers, internet - West Virginia MetroNews

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