5 Steps to Choosing What's Best for Your Child’s Education During a Pandemic

by, Dr. Latoshia Ellis- The Education Expert

This is the time of year that children are preparing to go back to school. Parents are busy purchasing school supplies and children are deciding on the backpack that reflects their personal style. COVID-19 has altered many plans for getting back to school. Parents and children alike may have varying levels of anxiety about what lies ahead. Some school districts have decided on full on-line learning, some schools are doing a combination of online and in person, and some schools have decided to to go back to school with no substantial changes.

It's no secret that people all over the country feel differently about their school's plans. Some parents are relieved to have online options and some parents are furious that in person learning won't be offered. This is a time that people have to take a step back and think about what works best for their family. I will share 5 simple steps to help you focus on what is right for your family.

Step 1

Consider the current health condition of your household and the people your family regularly encounters. We have heard countless times that there is a segment of our population that is at a higher risk of suffering severe symptoms including death from COVID-19. The elderly and people with underlying health conditions are at a greater risk. If your children have underlying health conditions, this will be something to take into consideration when deciding what to choose for your family. There are also families that have multiple generations living under one roof. You will need to consider how you can ensure everyone in the household can stay healthy and not bring illnesses home to your elderly family members.

Step 2

See what options your child’s school currently has in place. For districts that are 100% virtual some parents may still need to work. There maybe micro-school options within your community where families may welcome 1-5 students into their home to host virtual school while parents are at work for a small fee. Some parents may have the option to work remotely from home while their child is doing online work. There is no one-size fits all answer for this. The key is to see what is offered and how it aligns with your family’s needs. Many families are also looking into private school options within their community that might not have previously been considered so that their child is being cared for while they are at work.

Step 3

See what precautionary measures are in place for your school or district. Some schools have phase in plans where they will start the semester virtually then move back to the classroom. Some districts have teachers that have gotten creative and created transparent dividers to help their students maintain social distance. Take some time so see how your school’s precautions might align with your family’s needs.

Step 4

Does your child have special education needs that must be met? Speak with your school district about how special education services will be handled for students that are in school, virtual, or even those being home schooled. There are provisions for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that must still be met. Some of these services can still be offered virtually or with minimal students in the same setting. Be prepared to ask the questions that are important for your family.

Step 5

Don’t worry about the decisions other people are making; and don’t judge the decisions of others. Everyone’s situation is different. Sometimes we don’t take the time to consider how someone’s family dynamics might be different from our own. Every home is not a two-parent, two-income home, and not every family has strong support system. This maybe a time to see how we as a community can support one another without risking the health of our own family. Living through this pandemic is not easy; but to keep living is the goal!

Dr. Ellis is an education expert that coaches k-12 parents on education advocacy, and helps higher ed students to achieve and maintain academic excellence.