Reference no: EM133203531

Randi Weingarten Summary:

The American Federation of Teachers is an organization that represents teachers and other school employees in the United States. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic, this organization has been working to get federal support for educational institutions. Randi Weingarten spoke at the AFT Teach Conference on July 6th, 2021, about the importance of in-person schooling and how schools can safely reopen in the fall. Weingarten stated that before COVID-19, it was already known that kids learn best in person and that remote, hybrid and simultaneous instruction are not adequate substitutes. She also said that schools are centers of the community - not just places where kids learn academics, but also where they build relationships, and many children eat breakfast and lunch. Parents rely on schools not only to educate their kids but also so they can work. The vaccines have been game-changers and the more that people are back in school, with few outbreaks, the more that staff, students, and parents will trust that we can be fully back in school safely. Weingarten has visited many schools that have successfully reopened for in-person learning with safeguards in place. She said that resources are needed in order to reopen this autumn in individual, five days per week, with mitigating measures, ventilation improvements, and academic, social, and emotional assistance for students. Since the beginning of the epidemic, the AFT has fought in Washington for government money for schools. However, there are still risks as the Delta variant is causing alarming increases in infections in the parts of the United States and the world with low vaccination rates. The Centers for Prevention and Control have been asked by the AFT for updated advice on mask usage and other practices. Weingarten's talk was significant because she addressed the importance of in-person schooling and how schools can safely reopen in the fall.

Bree Dusseault summary:

Bree Dusseault, a practitioner-in-residence at the Center on Reinventing Public Education, writes that district leaders are struggling to provide safe in-person learning options amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Many families are considering remote learning for the 2021-22 school year, but remote learning has been shown to be less effective than in-person learning. Dusseault suggests that districts give students in-person support, such as learning pods, to improve remote learning. Dusseault argues that parents should not be forced to choose between their family's safety and their child's access to learning. Dusseault writes that district leaders are struggling to provide safe in-person learning options amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Many families are considering remote learning for the 2021-22 school year, but remote learning has been shown to be less effective than in-person learning. Dusseault suggests that districts give students in-person support, such as learning pods, to improve remote learning. Dusseault argues that parents should not be forced to choose between their family's safety and their child's access to learning. The information above is significant because it highlights the challenges that district leaders are facing in providing safe in-person learning options during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also shows that many families are considering remote learning as an option for the 2021-22 school year. However, remote learning has been shown to be less effective than in-person learning. Dusseault suggests that districts give students in-person support, such as learning pods, to improve remote learning. This is important because it shows that there are ways to improve remote learning so that it is more effective for students. Dusseault argues that parents should not be forced to choose between their family's safety and their child's access to learning. This is significant because it shows that there is a need for more options for families when it comes to education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The information in the article can be applied to the current situation in the United States regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and education. District leaders can use the information to improve their plans for providing safe in-person learning options. Families can use the information to make decisions about whether or not to send their children to school in-person or to choose remote learning. The article also highlights the importance of giving students in-person support, such as learning pods. This is important because it shows that there are ways to improve remote learning so that it is more effective for students.

Questions:

1. Compare the similarities between the two arguments, if any; do they share common ground on anything?
2. Compare the crucial differences between the two arguments; identify why they oppose each other.
3. Shift to your own position on the issue; state it clearly and strongly.
4. Offer your first supporting point and evidence or reasoning.
5. Offer your second supporting point and evidence or reasoning.
6. Acknowledge your position's weaknesses/limitations/challenges, but explain why it's still the better position.
7. Answer: How do we move forward despite our differences?