 Dear reader,
As the country debates reopening, The Hechinger Report has spent the last few months writing about how kids, parents and schools are faring in the pandemic. Each week, we find new consequences of this crisis: overworked school counselors in Arizona, college towns devastated by deserted stores and empty campuses, the inadequacy of federal funding aimed at helping education recover. We’ve also found districts that were far more prepared than most for the arrival of digital education. This week we write about one such community in Long Island, New York, that has long embraced the promise of technology, but where even the superintendent acknowledges it’s no substitute for in-person learning, noting: “This is not school, it’s a bridge.”
On a more personal note, I spent the week before Mother’s Day speaking with single moms who, in addition to trying to finish their studies while their kids are suddenly home, are increasingly vulnerable to hunger and homelessness. I was heartened by ways community colleges are helping and encouraging them, even as these institutions face growing worries about their own financial stability. We are grateful to have the opportunity to tell stories during this extraordinary time, and want to hear yours.
Liz Willen, Editor
|
|
Main Idea
