[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image alignment=”center” image=”12392″ animation=”fadeInUp”][vc_empty_space][wyde_heading subheading_tag=”h3″ style=”2″ title=”Study highlights the challenges of remote teaching and learning during pandemic” animation=”slideInLeft”][vc_empty_space]
[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInRight”]\u201cThe needs that have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic are definitely childcare, internet access and technology,\u201d said Michael Griffin, a teacher from Hopkins County. \u201cLots of kids don’t have internet, but even the ones who do\u00a0struggle with having multiple siblings and only one Chromebook per household.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInRight”]The\u00a0Coping with COVID-19 Teacher and Family\u00a0Study\u00a0<\/em>is a stakeholder-driven initiative launched in the wake of statewide school closures to amplify the voices of Kentucky teachers and families navigating teaching and learning through the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to the impact on teaching and learning, the study also explored topics related to health and safety surrounding COVID-19, mental health, family and teacher morale, and school and district communication.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInRight”]\u201cThis study shows that the digital divide, childcare needs, limited social support, and other realities that come from families working, teaching, and learning at home \u2013 are having a dramatic impact on Kentucky students\u2019 education,\u201d said Brigitte Blom Ramsey, Prichard Committee President & CEO. \u201cIt will take a concerted effort \u2013 including from our elected officials and local community organizations \u2013 to ensure that families, students and teachers get the supports they need during the pandemic and beyond.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInRight”]The report\u2019s recommendations for the improvement of remote teaching and learning include advocating for increased funding for technology and other resources and leveraging community-based organizations to provide access to licensed counselors, social workers, and other mental health professionals for all students, families, and educators who need them. Creating more internet hot spots, especially in rural areas that are under served, is also key in closing the digital divide in a state that is ranked 42nd<\/sup>\u00a0nationally for access to broadband internet.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInRight”]\u201cWe must give grace to teachers, students, and families as we all work through the new normal of teaching and learning,\u201d said Penny Christian, a Fayette County parent of four and one of the citizen researchers who created the report. \u201cHowever, we must also encourage grit as our\u00a0families, students, and teachers advocate for our needs and not settle for less than what we require to be effective.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInRight”]The intergenerational research team co-designed the survey and interview research strategy in an effort to provide a scalable model for how students, families, and teachers can act as citizen researchers to ensure education equity and drive a bold future for Kentucky\u2019s education system and its students.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInRight”]\u201cOur collaboration as teachers, parents, and students resulted in findings that were meaningful and actionable \u2013 an impressive feat for non-professional researchers. I am excited to see additional community-based, co-design processes develop in the future and continue to prove their value,\u201d said Garris Stroud, a teacher from Hopkins County and a member of the intergenerational research team.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInRight”]For more information, contact:
\n<\/i>Jessica Fletcher<\/strong>, Senior Director, Communications & External Affairs
\n(cell) 859-539-0511
\njessica.fletcher@