On Thursday, State School Superintendent Jennifer McCormick addressed frequently asked questions and some aspects of the school that are still in the planning process.
Back to school later this month.
With the covid-19 pandemic still spreading across the country many are left with questions.
Today state school superintendent jennifer mccormick addressed frequently asked questions..
And some aspects of school are still being worked out.
It's no secret that heading back to school this year will look much different.
"when you are designed for an onsite instructional educational environment and you are changing on a dime to do everything..
Onsite... remote..
Hybrid it's not easy and it's not inexpensive."- mccormick one big expense is that schools have had to buy ppe..
Plexiglass and more technology then they ever have before..
And some of those items are on back order.
"it's a supply chain issue with everything that's going on with covid."-mccormick.
And while certain items are proving to be an issue... medical guidance for schools continues to change especially when it comes to social distancing.
"the three feet is the minimum but i have visited schools prior to them starting to see the set ups i have talked to them they are trying their hardest to get at least a minimum of three feet if not more."- mccormick another issues schools are still trying to figure out..
Is standardized testing.
"we are struggling with if students are virtual how does that work with state mandated testing."- mccormick standardized testing is not a one size fits all option.
Especially since many of them are spread out throughout the start of school and aren't able to be taken virtually.
"if the families are like my child is not coming in i don't want them around people but yet we are telling them they have to come in for the state wide test and they are going to be in with all the those kids that's where the rub is coming."- mccormick.
Mccormick says the only way standardized testing can be canceled is if the state and federal government gets involved.
"for some of the tests we would need waiver, a federal waiver if we are pushing for that and the state we would need state legislation to help us with that or the governors office to help us with that right now we have none of that."
Which is something mccormick says will be critical to making the school year as successful as possible.
"anything we can get waived this year as far as the assessments that are high stake for accountability obviously is going to be extremely important.
I am not sure how fair it is given the fluidity of this situation."- mccormick.
Mccormick added that the state board of education and school districts are doing everything they can to provide the best education in the safest way possible.
School buses will (soon be back on
McCormick answered questions and addressed changes to the school year.