Giving Jackson students laptops for remote learning 'puts a target on them,' says superintendent

[TexasTowelie]

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - The Jackson Public School District and the effects of remote learning were the focus of a Wall Street Journal piece published Wednesday.

In the piece entitled ‘Are They Setting My Children Up for Failure?’ Remote Learning Widens Education Gap, JPS Superintendent Dr. Errick Greene admitted that the district was caught “flat-footed” during the pandemic, noting connectivity issues for some while remote learning and parents having challenges teaching their children.

The piece also revealed the hardships the Jackson school district faces, noting that it is the largest low-performing district in the state and that nearly all of its students rely on free and reduced-school lunches.

It also mentioned the fact that almost a third of JPS students have no access to a computer or internet.

Read more: https://www.wlbt.com/2020/07/17/giving-jps-students-laptops-remote-learning-puts-target-them-says-superintendent/

[nakocal]

1. Another state that is proudly republican

and their children live in poverty.

[MichMan]

2. Shutting down in person schools will likely hurt minority students more

Children will not learn as well remotely for a few hours a day like they would in person for a full school day.

This is especially true for some minority students who lack the home structure if their parents are working , and may be less comfortable with or have access to technology.

I'm not intending to dismiss the safety aspects, but there is a significant downside to keeping the schools shut down.