Letter to the Editor
Education Week takes no editorial positions but welcomes the opinions, comments, and ideas of its readers. Here's how to submit a letter to the editor.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Letter to the Editor
Schools Need More to Face Trauma
To the Editor:
We are writing to offer additional considerations related to the opinion essay "Police Violence and COVID-19 Have Been Traumatizing. Here Are Tools That Can Help Schools" (June 16, 2020). While the essay offers an overview of research on trauma with a focus on how schools can identify and respond to children who have been affected, it is missing attention to necessary systems for effective implementation.
We are writing to offer additional considerations related to the opinion essay "Police Violence and COVID-19 Have Been Traumatizing. Here Are Tools That Can Help Schools" (June 16, 2020). While the essay offers an overview of research on trauma with a focus on how schools can identify and respond to children who have been affected, it is missing attention to necessary systems for effective implementation.
Equity & Diversity
Letter to the Editor
Don't Lose Momentum on Racial Justice
To the Editor:
In a recent blog post ("'Teachers Cannot Be Silent': How Educators Are Showing Up for Black Students Following Protests," June 1, 2020), it was noted that several educators were coming up with innovative ways to reach out to their students following the killing of George Floyd.
In a recent blog post ("'Teachers Cannot Be Silent': How Educators Are Showing Up for Black Students Following Protests," June 1, 2020), it was noted that several educators were coming up with innovative ways to reach out to their students following the killing of George Floyd.
Equity & Diversity
Letter to the Editor
We Must Take on Bias in Schools
To the Editor:
The recent article "Teachers Are as Racially Biased as Everybody Else, Study Shows" (June 9, 2020) highlights an undeniable truth. We educators have biases that are implicit and, at times, explicit. We all must reflect on these biases to acknowledge our privilege and prejudices to ensure that our views and perceptions do not harm students.
The recent article "Teachers Are as Racially Biased as Everybody Else, Study Shows" (June 9, 2020) highlights an undeniable truth. We educators have biases that are implicit and, at times, explicit. We all must reflect on these biases to acknowledge our privilege and prejudices to ensure that our views and perceptions do not harm students.
Teaching Profession
Letter to the Editor
The Human Cost of the Coronavirus
To the Editor:
Thank you for the page of "Educators We've Lost to the Coronavirus" (April 3, 2020). It made me cry. It really puts a face on who and what has been lost during this pandemic. And it just seems to go on forever.
Thank you for the page of "Educators We've Lost to the Coronavirus" (April 3, 2020). It made me cry. It really puts a face on who and what has been lost during this pandemic. And it just seems to go on forever.
Early Childhood
Letter to the Editor
A Eulogy for Ken Goodman
To the Editor:
Several weeks ago, I spoke with an Education Week reporter about Ken Goodman in anticipation of an obituary about Ken’s passing and legacy (“Kenneth S. Goodman, ‘Founding Father’ of Whole Language, Dead at 92,” May 21, 2020). Great conversation. I looked forward to the tribute. I knew it would be complicated and controversial; Ken was complicated and controversial. But I was sure the controversy would be treated as part of the tribute.
Several weeks ago, I spoke with an Education Week reporter about Ken Goodman in anticipation of an obituary about Ken’s passing and legacy (“Kenneth S. Goodman, ‘Founding Father’ of Whole Language, Dead at 92,” May 21, 2020). Great conversation. I looked forward to the tribute. I knew it would be complicated and controversial; Ken was complicated and controversial. But I was sure the controversy would be treated as part of the tribute.
Teaching Profession
Letter to the Editor
Leveraging What Makes Teaching Human
To the Editor:
In response to the special report, “Social-Emotional Learning: Make It Work” (April 8, 2020), it would be appropriate to talk about the teacher’s role.
In response to the special report, “Social-Emotional Learning: Make It Work” (April 8, 2020), it would be appropriate to talk about the teacher’s role.
School & District Management
Letter to the Editor
Reopening Schools Will Demand Change
To the Editor:
Now that most schools have been closed for the school year, thoughts must move to reopening them with increased efficiency (“Kansas First State to Close Schools for Rest of School Year Due to Coronavirus,” March 17, 2020). Loss of so much school time will create social and academic disruptions for all children while hurting certain groups even more.
Now that most schools have been closed for the school year, thoughts must move to reopening them with increased efficiency (“Kansas First State to Close Schools for Rest of School Year Due to Coronavirus,” March 17, 2020). Loss of so much school time will create social and academic disruptions for all children while hurting certain groups even more.
Teaching Profession
Letter to the Editor
Education Is Not Scalable
To the Editor:
I enjoyed the video of Diane Ravitch (“Diane Ravitch in Her Own Words,” Education Week Video, April 10, 2020), a historian who has modified her perspective about education through the years. I’d like to broaden her perspective yet again.
I enjoyed the video of Diane Ravitch (“Diane Ravitch in Her Own Words,” Education Week Video, April 10, 2020), a historian who has modified her perspective about education through the years. I’d like to broaden her perspective yet again.
School Climate & Safety
Letter to the Editor
We Needed Better Contingency Plans
To the Editor:
After reading the article “Teachers in Limbo as Districts Rush to Boot Up Online Learning” (April 1, 2020), I could not help thinking that our lack of preparedness as educators could have been avoided. In February, the novel coronavirus was looming. We saw how the virus was ravaging through China, Italy, Spain, and elsewhere. Based on expert doctors’ predictions, politicians across America had ample time to strategize.
After reading the article “Teachers in Limbo as Districts Rush to Boot Up Online Learning” (April 1, 2020), I could not help thinking that our lack of preparedness as educators could have been avoided. In February, the novel coronavirus was looming. We saw how the virus was ravaging through China, Italy, Spain, and elsewhere. Based on expert doctors’ predictions, politicians across America had ample time to strategize.
Families & the Community
Letter to the Editor
Learning Is Still Happening at Home
To the Editor:
I was a little disappointed to see the recent subheadline, “Not every parent can keep the learning going” (“Will the Learning Gap Widen as Schools Stay Closed?”, April 1, 2020).
I was a little disappointed to see the recent subheadline, “Not every parent can keep the learning going” (“Will the Learning Gap Widen as Schools Stay Closed?”, April 1, 2020).
School Choice & Charters
Letter to the Editor
Dispelling Charter Schools Myths
To the Editor:
In response to the recent opinion piece by Diane Ravitch, “The Coronavirus Just Might End School Privatization Nonsense,” (April 10, 2020) I feel compelled to correct several misstatements and inaccuracies that decry the critical role charter schools play in serving America’s public school students. While these typical union tropes are not original, they are particularly distasteful in this moment. We should be elevating everyone who is helping to take care of students.
In response to the recent opinion piece by Diane Ravitch, “The Coronavirus Just Might End School Privatization Nonsense,” (April 10, 2020) I feel compelled to correct several misstatements and inaccuracies that decry the critical role charter schools play in serving America’s public school students. While these typical union tropes are not original, they are particularly distasteful in this moment. We should be elevating everyone who is helping to take care of students.
Classroom Technology
Letter to the Editor
Calling All Marooned Teachers
To the Editor:
Teachers are frantic. Schools are closing because of COVID-19 (“Coronavirus and Schools,” Feb. 29, 2020). Suddenly, teachers have to create an online curriculum for their courses. I would like to recommend teachers use an online blogging platform. This is an amazingly creative tool for learning, teaching, and communication.
Teachers are frantic. Schools are closing because of COVID-19 (“Coronavirus and Schools,” Feb. 29, 2020). Suddenly, teachers have to create an online curriculum for their courses. I would like to recommend teachers use an online blogging platform. This is an amazingly creative tool for learning, teaching, and communication.
College & Workforce Readiness
Letter to the Editor
College Is Not for Everyone
To the Editor:
It’s about time that the harm done in advocating “college for all” is finally exposed (“Not Every Student Should Go to College. And That's OK,” March 10, 2020). The truth is that not everyone is college material. For one reason or another, they lack the wherewithal for success. This explains why, according to a 2018 report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, more than 40 percent of first-time fall 2012 students at two-year public institutions failed to graduate in six years.
It’s about time that the harm done in advocating “college for all” is finally exposed (“Not Every Student Should Go to College. And That's OK,” March 10, 2020). The truth is that not everyone is college material. For one reason or another, they lack the wherewithal for success. This explains why, according to a 2018 report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, more than 40 percent of first-time fall 2012 students at two-year public institutions failed to graduate in six years.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Letter to the Editor
Schools Must Act on COVID-19
To the Editor:
After reading the article “Millions Will Be Out of School for Weeks Due to Coronavirus. It May Not Be Long Enough,” I’ve come to understand that decisions must be made quickly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in school districts and citywide where possible (March 13, 2020). There are concerns about the impacts of school closures on economically disadvantaged students who rely on schools for meals, and parents who cannot take off from work or afford childcare.
After reading the article “Millions Will Be Out of School for Weeks Due to Coronavirus. It May Not Be Long Enough,” I’ve come to understand that decisions must be made quickly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in school districts and citywide where possible (March 13, 2020). There are concerns about the impacts of school closures on economically disadvantaged students who rely on schools for meals, and parents who cannot take off from work or afford childcare.