Change the Distance Learning Hearing to Include The Voices of Parents and Teachers
Chairman Phil Mendelson, DC Council, Councilmember David Grosso
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Tell Chairman Phil Mendelson and Councilmember David Grosso to change the date!
There are too many unanswered questions concerning DC students and distance learning. Reports of parents having to take on the additional cost to set-up at home workspaces, teachers being evaluated over students' camera capabilities, and a delayed roll-out for technology distribution now has the DC Inspector General conducting a formal audit on DCPS.
If the DC Council genuinely wants to fix DC's vast educational inequities and provide parents and teachers effective oversight, we strongly suggest to Chairmen Phil Mendelson and Education Committee Chair David Grosso to reschedule the Distance Learning Hearing for DCPS and DCPCS currently scheduled on Friday, October 02, 2020 at 9:00 am for public witnesses.
At 9:00 am, teachers are in the middle of reading and history sessions. Parents are either sitting at home computers working or braving the pandemic to serve in DC bars, buses, and railways. The time recommended is inadequate if this hearing's goal is to hear from the most impacted voices.
To garner critical voices from the most impacted residents, including students, we strongly urge the council to consider the following suggestions.
1) A weekend date; prior before governmental witnesses
or rescheduling the hearing for an evening time ranging from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
2) Streamed LIVE from Facebook Live, with a section to take Q&A
3) Allowance of voice testimony before the hearing.
We know parents and teachers need ample opportunity to share with the DC Council the struggles, strengthens, and growth areas of distance learning. We hope that after these hearings, we as a city can ensure our children all have access to technology, are enrolled and attending classes regularly, and gain a 21st-century education.
Teachers and parents needs the same level of support from the city as we seen in business grants for outdoor bar space. Students deserve an education that is full, fun and funded and we are confident the DC Council, some whom are parents as well, want to work with residents to address the issues we face during this difficult time.
Petition by
To:
Chairman Phil Mendelson, DC Council, Councilmember David Grosso
From:
[Your Name]
I stand with DC families who need the Distance Learning Hearing date and or time changed. At 9:00 am, teachers are in the middle of reading and history sessions. Parents are either sitting at home computers working or braving the pandemic to serve in DC bars, buses, and railways. The time recommended is inadequate if this hearing's goal is to hear from the most impacted voices.
To garner critical voices from the most impacted residents, including students, we strongly urge the council to consider the following suggestions.
1) A weekend date; prior before governmental witnesses
or rescheduling the hearing for an evening time ranging from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
2) Streamed LIVE from Facebook Live, with a section to take Q&A
3) Allowance of voice testimony before the hearing.
We know parents and teachers need ample opportunity to share with the DC Council the struggles, strengthens, and growth areas of distance learning. We hope that after these hearings, we as a city can ensure our children all have access to technology, are enrolled and attending classes regularly, and gain a 21st-century education.
Teachers and parents needs the same level of support from the city as we seen in business grants for outdoor bar space. Students deserve an education that is full, fun and funded and we are confident the DC Council, some whom are parents as well, want to work with residents to address the issues we face during this difficult time.