The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is requiring most of the schools it operates—here and overseas—to reopen and offer in-person instruction five days a week despite a resurgence of COVID-19 in many of those places. Students exposed to COVID-19 at school could bring the virus home and infect their parents, which could have a…
Andrea Beeman, NEA’s 2020 Education Support Professional of the Year, participated in a July 28 panel discussion sponsored by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, “The Impact of McConnell’s Immunity Proposal on Workers and Communities of Color.” Immunity from liability is the centerpiece of the HEALS Act Majority Leader McConnell introduced in the…
Two weeks after returning from vacation, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and his Senate enablers revealed their current take on COVID-19—a bill with zero chance of passing the Senate, let alone the House. Those shortcomings reflect the chaos and disarray within the GOP, and something even worse: a refusal to take the pandemic seriously. More…
By Amanda Menas No one wants to be back in the classroom with our students more than educators. But it is because they care deeply about their students, schools, and communities that educators want to do this right. That means making the health and safety of students, families, and educators the primary driver of decisions…
By Amanda Menas Public schools play a central role in every community. That’s why everyone is eager for schools to reopen for in-person learning–state and local leaders, educators, parents, and students alike–but only if it can be done safely. Educators across the country are working tirelessly to get ready for the coming year, and for…