Education commissioner discusses the biggest challenges West TN schools face
The Tennessee Department of Education allowed districts across the state to reopen as they saw fit, not mandating them to reopen a certain way.
While the state encouraged in-person learning and issued resources to help districts determine how that could look, districts have developed their own plans for students’ learning as they battled challenges often unique to their region.
School districts have the autonomy to choose any option, whether that’s in-person, virtual or a combination of both.
The TDOE published a 45-page manual for districts to see how those options could look as well as toolkits with resources and recommendations to help districts assess how they could change the way schools operate, Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn said.
Trends across West TN districts
All districts were required to submit a continuous learning plan, which was due July 24, to address how school would continue to provide high-quality education throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
The plans detailed what model and instructional program the school districts will use in a remote setting if schools must close, an attendance policy that specifies a way to track student engagement, technology use and professional development and monitoring.
Many West Tennessee school districts applied for extensions to submit the learning plans as many opened in-person but needed to implement a remote learning plan if schools must close, according to Schwinn.
About 88% of the state’s schools continue to have an in-person option, as of late August, Schwinn said.
Several districts have followed state health department guidance by only closing schools affected by positive cases and resulting quarantines instead of closing the entire district or stopping in-person. The state department of health had advised the education department that districts should assess individual classrooms or schools in determining whether to shut down.
For example, Henderson County, Gibson County Special School District and Trenton Special School District closed individual schools and transitioned those schools to virtual for about two weeks.
For schools using virtual options, Schwinn noticed many districts using platforms that allow students to learn together at the same pace rather than on a self-paced platform.
Read more: How some districts are 'pivoting' by offering online academies
If a learning plan isn’t approved, districts have the opportunity to revise the plan until Sept. 30 when the final plan is due. Until the plan is approved, the district cannot count days as instructional days for students. A district would have to make up days not counted as instructional under the approved plan.
School district calendars usually have around 178 days of instruction, which is allowed under the 180-day requirement for students. The state has not waived that requirement.
According to the TDOE’s list, the West Tennessee school districts with approved plans, whose instructional days are being counted, include:
- Benton County
- Bradford Special School District
- Decatur County
- Dyer County
- Dyersburg City Schools
- Fayette County Public Schools
- Gibson County Special School District
- Haywood County
- Henderson County
- Henry County
- Lauderdale County
- Lexington City School System
- Obion County
- Paris Special School District
- South Carroll Special School District
- Tipton County
- Trenton Special School District
- Union City Schools
- West Tennessee School for the Deaf
Innovating way to address internet access, like hotspots, buses
It was inevitable that the rural West Tennessee schools would experience problems with internet access in contrast to other regions. Those districts have worked to overcome those challenges with “innovative solutions,” Schwinn said.
While there are districts using mobile hotspots to provide internet, some schools are thinking about using buses outfitted with WiFi; the buses would rotate around parts of the city or county, she said.
Students can download the materials they need – which would no longer require internet access once downloaded – and/or upload their completed assignments.
“One of the things we’re seeing is that you don’t have to have the internet for the entire day,” Schwinn said. “You just need to have it to, essentially, download the video and materials for the day and then submit them.”
Gov. Bill Lee is providing $65 million in grant money for schools in Tennessee — $50 million to buy a third computer after a district purchases two and $15 million to help districts purchase WiFi hotspots for families, according to Schwinn.
Districts are not only utilizing CARES Act funding for technology but also the grant money from Lee. Schools must submit a request for the funds that will be divided between those who apply.
In the learning plans schools submitted, districts were asked to assess barriers the district would face, many of which surfaced during the spring closures of schools.
For example, Haywood County shared concerns about the lack of contact with students, the availability of devices and WiFi capabilities to complete school work. Benton County said the pandemic revealed many unforeseen challenges for its district, including students not having enough food at home, internet access, device availability, loss of instruction and learning gaps.
“Every day presents a new challenge,” Schwinn said. “We predicted the challenges that would come and prioritized what was most urgent based on what we heard from our superintendents and districts and will continue put out new resources throughout the year based on their feedback.”
‘Districts are working hard’
The TDOE talks with districts three times a week to provide updates from the state level, answer questions and see what additional resources they can offer.
“I know our districts are working really hard,” Schwinn said. “It’s one of those times where no matter what you do, someone thinks you’re right and someone thinks you’re wrong.
“I just applaud our superintendents for their focus on kids.”
Resources districts, parents can use
- Best for All: Many districts have started using the state’s new Best for All platform that has free lessons, videos, and teacher and parent guides.
- Family Remote Learning - Bridging the Distance: Helps families navigate remote learning and better understand the common tools and programs used by educators
Lasherica Thornton is The Jackson Sun's education reporter. Reach her at 731-343-9133 or by email atlthornton@jacksonsun.com. Follow her on Twitter: @LashericaT