Closing Schools is Harmful to Vulnerable Students

Natural disasters, failing infrastructure, and pandemics close schools. We learned from the recent COVID Pandemic that when schools are closed the greatest harm happens to our most vulnerable and marginalized students. However, this fall, schools lacking appropriate infrastructure are closing again; and once again the greatest impact is on our marginalized students.

For two years, thousands of schoolhouses across our country were closed during the most recent pandemic. Despite their buildings being closed, educators from these schools soldiered on in attempting to teach students virtually and continue the learning online. While this was difficult for all involved, the results between more affluent schools and communities and those serving a significant number of students living in poverty is very telling. The most recent NAEP report (National Assessment of Educational Progress) reveals what we already knew deep down in our souls. Students living in poverty suffered significant learning loss during this time.

These students were the ones who often had little to no connectivity for online learning. School leaders across the country engaged in heroics to get devices into the hands of students and connect families to the Internet with at least a hotspot. They gathered up funds and donations to help cover the cost of at least some limited connectivity for these students. However, it took time to connect everyone and service was often minimual. Having three or four students in the same household trying to use limited connectivity often resulted in a complete failure. The infrastructure was not ready for such an enormous pivot in learning.

In addition, these students were often home by themselves trying to learn on their own, especially if their parents were considered essential workers. Older siblings in these homes often missed out on their online classes because they were caring for their younger siblings and dealing with connectivity that was insufficient for all the children in the house to be online for classes at the same time.

As in-person schooling has reconvened across our country, there are still frequent news reports of schools closing due to the unbearable temperatures inside old brick buildings with no air conditioning. Why is it that schools in Philadelphia had to close for lack of air conditioning but those in the more affluent suburbs continued to hold classes. Who lost out on their learning?

Then in Jackson, Mississippi schools had to close for lack of running water. In Reno, Nevada schools had to close this fall due to hazardous smoke from a wildfire burning in nearby California. Residents were urged to stay inside with the house closed up. Not only were students missing out on their learning, but what about the students that were at home, also without water or in homes with no air conditioning or proper air filtration systems and breathing the hazardous smoke? Being at home wasn’t any better than being at school. Once again, we know that our students in poverty are the ones most impacted in these situations and the ones who will suffer the greatest learning loss.

I recently heard Professor Restaino (UNLV – Reno) on an NPR program, State of Nevada. She stated, “I think schools really need to be invested in as clean air spaces. There needs to be clean air evacuation spaces in these schools. We should never have to close schools and have people stay home who are living in a car or living in a place that doesn’t have A/C or electricity or somewhere to have clean air.”

I agree with Professor Restaino. Our schools need to be shelters and safe places where despite pandemics, heat waves, and infrastructure failures our most vulnerable children are safe and continue to learn and grow. We have old, outdate buildings and infrastructure throughout our country. As we rebuild our nation’s infrastructure, we need to focus first on improving our schools in our most marginalized communities so that they are truly shelters and havens where every child receives whatever they need to achieve at the highest levels. Equity is putting our resources first towards improving schools in our most marginalized communities so they are safe and places for continuous learning. Ensuring all our children achieve at high levels is for the common good of our great nation.

This blog is written by Dr. GwenCarol Holmes, a long-time educator and passionate advocate for all students mastering rigorous standards.