D.C. Public School Scraps Plans To Send Some Students Back To School

On Monday, it was announced that plans to return some D.C. public elementary school students to classrooms on November 9 had been canceled. 

In a statement, Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee says that community feedback was taken into consideration, and all students will continue to learn virtually. The plan faced considerable criticism from many teachers and parents.

“We’re still taking steps to reopen our @dcpublicschools this school year, and remain committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of students, staff, and families,” Mayor Muriel Bowser tweeted on Monday.

Some students were set to return to school next week in small groups with a teacher and others in Canvas Academics and Real Engagement (CARE) classrooms. The CARE groups would be taught by a teacher working remotely and administered by an adult who could be a high school or administrative faculty member. 

Due to the challenges of virtual learning, some students in the district started to fall behind. With students missing benchmarks, officials pushed for a return to in-person learning.

Priority for in-person learning options were given to students who are experiencing homelessness, have special education needs, are at risk, or are learning English. Additionally, families were given the opportunity for their children to continue virtual learning.

The plan was not popular with teachers over health and safety concerns. According to NBC Washington, The Washington Teachers’ Union issued a no-confidence vote on Thursday in the DCPS plan.

DCPS will not open elementary schools on November 9 as planned. We have heard feedback from many in our community about #ReopenStrong plans, and we will use this moment to adjust our timeline and staffing plans for reopening. Read more: https://t.co/qW2kdKbROu

— Chancellor Ferebee (@DCPSChancellor) November 2, 2020