Reopening schools safely is essential to our nation
As Florida — and America — look to reopen society, it is imperative that we safely reopen our schools. President Trump is right — students can, and must, continue to learn full time throughout the K-12 system.
Uncertainty, mixed with sensationalist news coverage, leaves a lot of parents, teachers and children with questions. I don’t take this situation lightly.
As someone who has dedicated his professional life to ensuring all children have access to a good education, I will always put the best interests of our students first.
The global pandemic has affected nearly every element of society, and we must find common-sense solutions to ensure our children’s education isn’t compromised to a degree that isn’t necessary.
Education is a key component for society’s growth and development. Research has shown that school closures disproportionately affect the most vulnerable students, widening disparities in achievement and harming ecosafe nomic potential.
If Florida schools didn’t reopen, more than 2.5 million students would be negatively affected.
As a former teacher and the head of the Florida Senate’s Education Committee, I understand the value of a robust education system and having students back into the classrooms.
It promotes collaborative learning, enhances critical thinking and develops important personal and career building skills.
Education is far more than just numbers and letters. It’s about providing equal opportunity to all students to pursue and achieve the American Dream. It’s about empowering our youth to create, innovate, and achieve.
Schools provide services to students beyond traditional classroom learning. Teachers and staff play a crucial role in addressing learning disorders or identifying physical, sexual and substance abuse.
By not being able to physically attend to school on a daily basis, staffs’ ability to monitor these conditions are severely hampered. Nutritious meals are another critical service that schools provide to millions of students across the country.
I am committed to upholding Florida’s place as a national leader in educational opportunity for families and students.
I will continue to advocate for opportunities that would benefit education like the recently passed bills that include boosting the Family Empowerment Scholarship program, leading to exactly what President Trump has said: “No child in America should be denied the right to high-quality education because of their Zip code.”
The president encourages a reopening of schools that puts the well-being of our children first. He understands the importance of ensuring children have complete access to educational opportunities.
Trump has led through action on this issue ensuring $150 billion of coronavirus relief funds are readily accessible to state and local governments to help schools districts affected by the coronavirus.
I stand with President Trump and his commitment to reopen our schools.