07-11-2020, 05:03 PM
I work in a high school, so have insight into what our district is doing, how it differs from last year, and potential advantages and disadvantages to each. Educationally I believe we have a good plan in place; situationally I'm not nearly as impressed.
Background: We are a small/midsize district by state standards. The school district has about 1800 teachers, 20,000 students spread across 3 high schools, 4 middle schools, 12 elementary, 1 votech, 3 special schools. All students from third grade up are supplied with iPads.
Last year when schools were closed in March, we went to a virtual school model. Teachers could set up classes however they wanted and create their own lessons. It worked but was far from ideal as each teacher set standards that could be far different from another teacher with the same subject. Most high school teachers used Google classroom, but some used other programs. The middle schools and elementary were on completely different platforms. The results were not great.
This year we have learned from our mistakes. The district has settled on an online program called Canvas. This program is extremely popular in colleges. All grade levels will use it in place of the hodgepodge we had. The simple uniformity will help parents and get stronger every year since nothing new will need to be taught just to use it.
This coming year there will be two options for students - either full-time traditional or full-time Virtual.
The virtual program will utilize the online platform and lessons of Florida Virtual School but be overseen and administered by district teachers. In this program, the teachers do not "teach" the class but rather are there to answer questions and evaluate mastery. All lessons and tests are built into the program. I personally have never been impressed by Florida Virtual lessons. I found them to be shallow and minimal. They meet state standards but go no further. Students have no interaction with other students, there is no classroom discussion that can enhance the material. I would homeschool before relying on FLVS.
The traditional route is just what it sounds like - in school learning with a teacher and other students present. Teachers will utilize Canvas as well for homework and testing. This really should give students the best chance of success. If we have to close schools again, students will already be familiar with the Canvas platform. Teachers can utilize it along with Zoom to continue. For students without internet access at home, there are two options being given. They may get all assignments on paper; that requires someone picking up the assignments and then returning them every week. We are also making busse into hotspots that students can join. There will be a school bus at certain places every day for food distribution, so this uses the same resource in multiple ways. There will be shortfalls given the realities of immature students, unsupportive parents, and minimalistic teachers (I admit that those exist, more than I care to count).
We are in a very tea-party, Trump supportive zone. The county as a whole has not taken true precautions. There has never been any directions beyond what the state required. Even masks were scoffed at. The school leadership is no different in that regard. The precautions being taken amount to little more than wiping down desks and doorknobs. Masks are encouraged but not required. There will be no temperature screening or additional measures. Honestly, there would have been some huge pushback from the community if those things had been dictated.
I don't have an answer for you, I don't even know what I would do if my child was still in school. There is no easy answer.
I hope this helps some.
Background: We are a small/midsize district by state standards. The school district has about 1800 teachers, 20,000 students spread across 3 high schools, 4 middle schools, 12 elementary, 1 votech, 3 special schools. All students from third grade up are supplied with iPads.
Last year when schools were closed in March, we went to a virtual school model. Teachers could set up classes however they wanted and create their own lessons. It worked but was far from ideal as each teacher set standards that could be far different from another teacher with the same subject. Most high school teachers used Google classroom, but some used other programs. The middle schools and elementary were on completely different platforms. The results were not great.
This year we have learned from our mistakes. The district has settled on an online program called Canvas. This program is extremely popular in colleges. All grade levels will use it in place of the hodgepodge we had. The simple uniformity will help parents and get stronger every year since nothing new will need to be taught just to use it.
This coming year there will be two options for students - either full-time traditional or full-time Virtual.
The virtual program will utilize the online platform and lessons of Florida Virtual School but be overseen and administered by district teachers. In this program, the teachers do not "teach" the class but rather are there to answer questions and evaluate mastery. All lessons and tests are built into the program. I personally have never been impressed by Florida Virtual lessons. I found them to be shallow and minimal. They meet state standards but go no further. Students have no interaction with other students, there is no classroom discussion that can enhance the material. I would homeschool before relying on FLVS.
The traditional route is just what it sounds like - in school learning with a teacher and other students present. Teachers will utilize Canvas as well for homework and testing. This really should give students the best chance of success. If we have to close schools again, students will already be familiar with the Canvas platform. Teachers can utilize it along with Zoom to continue. For students without internet access at home, there are two options being given. They may get all assignments on paper; that requires someone picking up the assignments and then returning them every week. We are also making busse into hotspots that students can join. There will be a school bus at certain places every day for food distribution, so this uses the same resource in multiple ways. There will be shortfalls given the realities of immature students, unsupportive parents, and minimalistic teachers (I admit that those exist, more than I care to count).
We are in a very tea-party, Trump supportive zone. The county as a whole has not taken true precautions. There has never been any directions beyond what the state required. Even masks were scoffed at. The school leadership is no different in that regard. The precautions being taken amount to little more than wiping down desks and doorknobs. Masks are encouraged but not required. There will be no temperature screening or additional measures. Honestly, there would have been some huge pushback from the community if those things had been dictated.
I don't have an answer for you, I don't even know what I would do if my child was still in school. There is no easy answer.
I hope this helps some.