By JON GLOVER
In mid-March 2020, forced by the COVID-19, the Caddo Parish school system started what would be the new norm for education in the parish.
It was unconventional. It would be a challenge for everyone. It was the new style of teaching, learning done with technology using Chromebooks.
It was the new plan designed to meet the continuing academic needs of every student here in Caddo Parish, but something was missing.
There were not enough Chromebooks available for each student in the parish to have their own for at-home study
.
A pandemic showed how unprepared our school system was. There was no real plan. Phase One.
A shortage of Chromebooks would definitely be of concern, as that one tool was essential in the continuing of the educational process, that process virtual. How effective would the continuing education be for some 38,000 students here in Caddo Parish public school system?
On June 1, Phase 2 was implemented. What plan was in the making for the 2020-21 school year? Did our public school superintendent and his administration have a viable plan in place to meet the continuing needs academically for those more than 38,000 students?
With the unveiling unveiled, the plan to begin and to continue the academic journey of those more than 38,000 children would be met with three options — plan for Phase 2.
Did our public school system have a plan to meet Phase 3?
The federal government had provided CARES money to purchase additional Chromebooks.
We all know, per the last executive work session of the Caddo Parish School Board that Chromebooks were still on order. “Still on order” means many students will not be starting the 2020-21 school year prepared for learning virtually, even hybrid.
Now comes Phase 3. Was there a plan developed in the midst of Phase 1 and Phase 2?
Now I don’t often give much attention to surrounding parishes — well, not that much — but I did notice something that was unique. Bossier and DeSoto had a plan ready to be implemented once Phase 3 was announced.
The Bossier Parish School Board’s plan, since the unveiling of Phase 3, returns students to traditional learning on Monday, Sept. 14, for sixth through eighth grades.
The DeSoto Parish School Board’s plan will be ready for implementing on Sept. 21.
Nevertheless, the question remains, does our own Caddo Parish public school system have a plan for Phase 3? No, they do not.
The superintendent announced, “We will take a look at what will be done by month’s end.”
When Phase 1 began back in March, no viable plan was in place. When Phase 2 began on June 1, plans were developed to begin the 2020-21 school year. However, for Phase 3, no plan.
Words spoken and not spoken at the Sept. 1 Executive Committee meeting’s work session of the Caddo Parish School Board speaks volume.
Safety is a priority, as we all know, but so is the need to ensure that there are effective resources to educate our children.
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE September 18 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB - THE INQUISITOR.