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Schools, parents and students prepare for distance learning in Oregon

Teachers in the Tigard-Tualatin and Salem-Keizer school districts have been focused on reaching out to their students.

PORTLAND, Ore. — New guidelines for distance learning in Oregon will affect every district in the state, as well as students and parents.

“I don’t even know how to necessarily put it into words because I'm still processing that information,” said Tara Shafer, when she described hearing about the possibility that schools in Oregon may not open for the remainder of the academic year. She’s a parent of an elementary school student in the Salem-Keizer School District.

Shafer said parents she’s talked to have been stressed out. They’ve unexpectedly had to become a teacher of sorts to their children. For some parents who have a job, working from home isn’t an option and balancing employment as well as a child at home can be difficult.

This week, the Oregon Department of Education's "Distance Learning For All" plan was released. It basically outlines what school districts must do moving forward. Every district must have a distance learning plan in place by April 13. Part of the announcement included addressing the possibility that school for students across the state might not restart this year.

The distance learning plan outlines periods of “teacher-led” time every day for each grade level. Teachers can connect with their students through online video chat, over the phone, through hard-copy worksheet packets, or another way that makes sure every student has an opportunity to learn regardless of whether they have internet access, don't speak English, or face any other barriers to education.

How the Tigard-Tualatin School District is responding

On Wednesday, the Tigard-Tualatin School District continued putting its plan in motion by handing out iPads at two of its elementary schools.

“This is a great opportunity for our kids to continue what they're learning and stay in contact with their teachers,” said Jaqueline Lindsey, a parent in the district.

Those in middle school and high school will get Chromebook laptops. 

Traci Rose, spokesperson for the district said this 2019-2020 school year is the first year that 100% of students in the district have an iPad or tablet. Middle and high school students take theirs home. Elementary schools keep theirs at school, which is why this week families that do not have devices at home are picking them up from schools.

When it comes to the internet, the district is working to figure out the best way to provide access.

"We, much like at other districts, are considering putting hotspots into our bus fleet and placing them strategically at apartment complexes and other places where families and students can hop on and access them,” said Dr. Sue Rieke-Smith, superintendent of the Tigard-Tualatin School District.

Internet accessibility for students is an issue many districts across the state are grappling with.

“I think a situation like this certainly highlights the continued digital divide that exists across our state,” said Rieke-Smith.

Salem-Keizer School District developing a plan for distance learning

For many districts, like the Salem-Keizer School District, development of a distance learning plan is a tedious and difficult process with many hurdles.

The district is the state's second largest, behind only Portland Public Schools, with more than 42,000 students. Director of communications for the district, Lillian Govus, said district leaders face substantial challenges, with 70% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch and about 1,200 students who are homeless. On Tuesday, the district served more than 17,000 meals at its 35 supplemental meal sites.

Govus said the district plans to give out 10,000 Chromebook laptops to students that need one over the next couple days. It has also ordered about 1,000 hotspots. However, the hotspots won’t arrive until late April due to a lack of supply. But it’s not just the availability of technology that is an issue.

“The need in our community is real. We have a high number of English-language learners, so simply providing them with a device and lessons isn’t all that helpful when their parents may not speak English or understand the technology to help them,” said Govus.

In addition, she said homeless students in particular may become a target if they’re given a laptop. They may fear they’ll lose it, or that someone will take it away from them.

“Normally in a crisis of this magnitude we would be able to call on an external resource for support, but because every single school district in the nation is facing the same crisis there are no external supports for us to call on,” Govus said.

This week, teachers in the Tigard-Tualatin and Salem-Keizer school districts have been focused on reaching out to their students and their families to check in on them, and also assess their need for technology moving forward.

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