SJSD Problems with learning from home (7-1-20)

SJSD Problems with learning from home (7-1-20)

Joseph school district is set to release its plan for the school year later this month... and with that plan... contingincy plans... as coronavirus cases surge -- teachers say there's one problem with no right answer....here's kq2's madeline mcclain with more... teachers at schools across the country -- an in missouri -- reported concerns about students who didn't have access to the internet.here's the head of missouri's education department mo.

Dept.

Of education commissioner: last week confirming what teachers in st.

Joseph have been saying for months."i know that some of these kids haven't been able to log on at all."

Teachers in the st.

Joseph school district say that despite best efforts -- when classes moved online in march some students logged out of school altogether simmons is one of central high school's art teachers.j.

Eric simmons, teachers assoc.

President & art teacher: "they haven't been able to communicate at all because they just don't have the internet capabilities and so it's impossible to reach out to them."simmons is also the president of a local teachers association and asked if this was a widespread problem...j.

Eric simmons, teachers assoc.

President & art teacher: "one of the things i asked them is are you guys experiencing a decline in the number of students that are attending your online zoom, or turning in assignments that you are posting through email and other types of communication like that, and it's been a resounding yes."rhonda west -- a special education teacher at truman -- saw her digital classroom shrink.rhonda west, special ed.

Teacher: overall we've figured out that the first week this was all new and novel, kids were excited to get on and see their friends and not too many kids are getting on the internet."

Then there's the group that can't log on.rhonda west, special ed.

Teacher: i have kids without the internet and so the district is doing their best to hand out packets and they are supposed to bring those back when we do return so there's accountability.no internet means a whole host of problems -- classes missed, assignments have no way of getting turned in, and there's no communication.rhonda west, special ed.

Teacher: "there's some that haven't connected with any students."some families dropping out of touch completely -- unavailable by phone, email or any other form of communication -- as they struggle with the economic and health effects of the coronavirus outbreak.j.

Eric simmons, teachers assoc.

President & art teacher: "families are having a hard time maintaining their income.

They are having a hard time maintaining their livelihood and so that is going to cause, so that is going to cause some emotional stress on some families which translates directly into the students."as recently as last week -- state education officials saying they don't have a solution to the problem.margie vandeven, mo.

Dept.

Of education commissioner: we technology and the internet."but they are reporting in st.

Joseph, madeline mcclain