Week 1 Readings

#TempleSocEd

The readings for this week were on the topic of re-opening academic settings. This has been a very controversial topic recently because of safety concerns for everyone. COVID-19 has controlled the center of discussion for any possible actions towards a ‘normal’ lifestyle. From returning to work, grocery shopping, and now, normalized social standards, we must take into account all possible effects that ‘going back to normal’ can cause.

The article “There Are Other Options Besides Reopening Schools” written by Ashley Fetters focuses on other possible ways of re-opening in person K-12 education. She highlighted how K-12 education provides for both the students and parents, which is crucial in understanding why many people are for re-opening schools. Her mention of the success Denmark has had in re-opening their schools was very smart. It shows that it is possible to tackle this situation even if Denmark is significantly smaller in population. By using the resources available to their community and, as Fetters’ says, using ‘imagination’, it created options for the re-opening of a new school system that was inevitably going to happen. Right now, all we can do is inform ourselves and bear witness to what is happening and will happen.

The article “Colleges Are Deeply Unequal Workplaces” written by Jeffrey Selingo sheds light to the problematic heir-achy within colleges and universities. He presented and clarified, to me, the difference between faculty and staff. Though staff are who directly and more constantly interact with students, they are not really involved with decisions making. Particularly, those dealing with their own safety and job security. While it is not possible for staff in maintenance and other physical labor departments to work from home, they should still have a voice in what could negatively affect them. More options need be available for staff members rather than being put on furlough or fired.

Both articles gave me a better understanding of what goes into re-opening schools. It is something deeper than simply deciding whether or not schools should re-open. There are people who are effected more than others just within the school’s community that it makes me wonder how many people are at an even more disadvantage when bringing in class and race? I also wonder if it’s a lack of financial funds or the lack of a more tactical team to solve this problem?