By Margaret Spellings Dec. 14, 2020 11:00 am ET Schools help organize our world. They are where future generations learn to propel our economy, understand our democracy and live in society. Schools allow parents to work, giving children a safe learning environment. And, for millions of American students, they are a reliable source of a warm meal.
Technology’s role We should start with the role technology has played, for better and worse, in real and virtual classrooms this year. Going forward, even after every school reopens, students will need broadband access to complete homework, apply for college and jobs, and even maintain friendships. Through public-private partnerships and by building on successful existing programs, we can deliver broadband to every American student—that must be our goal.
How the pandemic has further affected student performance is something that should concern every parent, teacher and policy maker. We need to know as much as we can, as quickly as we can. Teachers and schools need clear and ongoing data on students’ progress and needs. Policy makers need accurate information to set priorities for use of limited resources.
School districts should start by expanding access to college-level courses. They also should work more closely with employers, community colleges and others to create degrees and programs that help students fill high-skill jobs. And every institution should treat education and training as a lifelong pursuit, forging multiple entry points into degree programs.
Longer term, the future of the nation, and every individual in it, hinges on our ability to adapt and employ new approaches that meet market needs. • March 15: New York City schools, the nation’s largest district and most prominent holdout, will close due to the pandemic.
WSJ editors with their fake doctorates trying to come up with something someone cares about. Not this time.