`A miracle': Survey shows schools are grateful to be open
More than three months into the school year, Oklahoma school districts say they're encouraged inperson education has lasted this long, but many fear COVID-19 could force shutdowns again.
Over 80% of districts in the state are teaching students in person, according to a survey by the Oklahoma State School Boards Association ( OSSBA). More than 90% offer a full- time virtual learning option to students, as well.
Last week, the schools boards association surveyed school board members and administrators from about 300 districts, representing more than 70% of public school students in the state. An overwhelming majority said they were pleased schools have maintained inperson classes.
“The fact that we are still in and fighting two
weeks before Thanksgiving is a miracle,” one district leader wrote. “It is obvious that the schools are not super spreaders and masks have been the difference maker for us.”
As of midweek last week, about 35% of districts have closed a school site at least temporarily, and 26% ended in-person classes districtwide, for either short-term or long- term periods, because of COVID-19, the OSSBA reported.
Thousands of Oklahoma students and teachers have had confirmed cases or been exposed this school year, according to district COVID19 reports.
But, many survey respondents said only a tiny fraction of their students and teachers have tested positive. Some said they've found no cases at all.
In a letter to OSSBA members, Executive Director Shawn Hime said schools have been far more successful than he expected at curbing COVID- 19 spread while teaching in person.
“The leadership of local board members and administrators and the hard work of those in school buildings are paying off,” Hime wrote. “I'm equally proud of the choices school districts have offered for those who are worried about in-person learning, and those districts that have made the difficult decision to mostly rely on distance learning throughout the first semester.”
Mask policies differ
Some of the largest districts in the state have spent most of the school year in distance learning, including Putnam City, Oklahoma City and Tulsa Public Schools.
About a third of responding school districts don't require students and staff to wear masks, though some still ask students to put on face coverings while riding a bus or when social distancing isn't possible.
This is in line with findings from an August survey from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, which found more than a third of districts in the state started the school year with no form of a mask mandate.
Those who have required masks said it was critical to keeping their schools open.
“I firmly believe that our mask requirement has probably helped us avoid a site shutdown up to this point,” a respondent said.
More than 80% of respondents said they provide face coverings, even in districts where they aren't required.
Frequent disinfecting, plexiglass dividers and social distancing also have been effective tools.
Worries about the future
Most listed their top worry is having to close.
“This community will crumble if we shut down again,” a respondent said. “Our students are already so far behind academically that closing would be harmful to not only their education but to their mental health.”
All public schools in Oklahoma were ordered to close in March for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. Schools stopped grading assignments as they piloted distance learning for the first time during the spring months.
Multiple district leaders feared in-person classes might not be feasible in the near future with Oklahoma reaching record- setting levels of coronavirus spread this month. Others commented that recent spikes coincide with the onset of flu season.
Indoor activities, particularly basketball games, featured heavily among school district concerns. Respondents said social distancing is more difficult in gyms, and basketball doesn't benefit from outdoor conditions like football does.
“Community spread is getting worse,” one district said. “More students ( are) having to stay home because of a positive parent case. Basketball season is going to be a nightmare.”
Although nearly all responding districts offer a virtual option, many said they believed it to be less effective academically and worse for students' mental health.
Districts said they struggled with student engagement online. Many reported students who started the year in a virtual curriculum eventually switched to in- person or blended classes.
Administrators noted widespread staff fatigue as COVID- 19 creates exponentially more work for teachers and principals. Certain respondents said they fear a staff exodus to retirement or a different profession.
“This isn't what many signed up for,” one said.
Reporter Nuria MartinezKeel covers K-12 and higher education throughout the state of Oklahoma. Have a story idea for Nuria? She can be reached at nmartinez-keel@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @NuriaMKeel. Support Nuria's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at oklahoman.com/ subscribe.