OKLAHOMA CITY – Educating children has been challenging, at the very least, for Oklahoma teachers, administrators and parents, the state’s top educator said about the COVID-19 pandemic and its significant impact on student learning.
Since March, districts have opted for virtual learning, back to in-person school and back to at-home schooling. Depending on the political climate and the number of COVID-related cases, hospitalizations and deaths, students might be learning from their homes or their regular classrooms.
The only answer, education and health officials say, is there is no certain answer.
“Nobody could have foreseen where we are today. But given how challenging and difficult this has been, our schools have performed admirably,” said Joy Hofmeister, Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Public Instruction. “We absolutely believe that in-person instruction is the best option. There are multiple reasons why, not just in terms of academics. Things like the social and emotional supports students receive in a school setting are critical.”
Still, a global pandemic trumps all other issues, leading educators across the country to conduct school in a virtual format that could likely continue into 2021.
“That (pandemic) has serious consequences, some that remain to be seen,” Hofmeister said. “There are times when schools must switch to virtual or distance learning options for the safety of the students and staff.”
In Oklahoma, there had been 213,245 COVID-19 cases as of Dec.5, and 1,874 deaths related to the virus, the state health department reported. Nationally, there have been more than 14.3 million COVID cases and 278,932 deaths as of Dec. 5.
School-age children (5-17) accounted for 10.3% of all cases in Oklahoma, according to figures provided by the state Health Department.
Hofmeister remains hopeful that in-person instruction can continue soon, but that timeline depends on the COVID outbreak.
“There are at least three vaccines almost ready for distribution, and the CDC indicates that these vaccines will all be available to the public soon,” the superintendent said.
Hofmeister noted that many Oklahoma school districts have held only in-person education since the school term began in August, “and they have done it safely.” The CDC also has indicated that schools are not super spreaders of the COVID virus as feared by the general public.
“Districts should be commended for providing multiple ways to give instruction, whether in person, online or a hybrid. It’s worth noting that not all families want the same thing, and not all children can be virtual full time while others have medical reasons why they cannot be in-person,” Hofmeister said.
Parents, she said, have different opinions about virtual schooling depending on their work and life situations.
“Some are deeply troubled at the idea of going back in person. Others are upset that the school doors haven’t been opened in some districts. But the surprise to many parents were and are the disruptions that come from quarantining and exposure, with hundreds being quarantined at one time,” the superintendent said.
Whether tasked with online or in-class instruction, teachers have to be prepared for either scenario.
“Teachers have been true heroes with their flexibility and understanding of this crisis. They are demonstrating a tireless commitment to meeting their students where they are, and they describe it as among the most difficult work they’ve ever done,” Hofmeister said.
Another important factor is the pandemic’s effect on the teacher shortage in Oklahoma.
“That is one of the reasons it is so critical that we acknowledge the incredible work they are doing,” Hofmeister said. “There is not a more noble profession than teaching and what we are asking them to do this year is so inspiring.”
Whether students are in the classroom or at home, the financial impact has reared its ugly head for school officials. Although she couldn’t put a specific figure on the cost of the pandemic on Oklahoma’s educational system, Hofmeister said it’s been “extraordinarily expensive” for personal protective equipment, disinfectant and extra supplies, laptops and tablets for distance learning, internet connectivity for students and staff, the extra cost of substitutes when teachers are sick or quarantined and the increasing need for various instructional materials.
“Then, you must add the costs of the work we always do in schools. The resources are stretched thinner than ever,” she said.
While acknowledging that morale has been an issue for the state’s education community, Hofmeister admitted the pandemic will have a lasting impact on Oklahoma teachers, administrators and staff members.
“Oklahoma educators are known for keeping their focus on kids, closing learning gaps and being resilient. While many times we focus on the drawbacks from the pandemic, this situation has forced us to come up with innovative ways to educate and reach students. For example, educators are embracing technology to enhance what they were already doing in the classroom. Also, parents are engaged now more than ever in their child’s education. Once the pandemic is over or under control, I hope these practices remain,” she said.
National health experts predict some sense of normalcy will hit the U.S. sometime in 2021, probably during the third or fourth quarters, combined with the vaccines and continued social distancing, masks and frequent hand-washing. The vaccines being distributed nationally have proven to be more than 90% effective during clinical trials.