The number of homeschoolers is rising in nearly every district in Oregon. Oregon Department of Education shows more than 22,000 students registered being homeschooled. Survey shows that 40 percent of families are more likely to homeschool when lockdown restrictions lift. Statistics are easy to keep, as one of the requirements for homeschooling is that the parents need to notify the school district that they live in that they will be homeschooling.

The Governor’s Healthy Schools Reopening Council met to review the steps Oregon will need to take to return more students to in-person instruction in schools. While new nationwide data on schools reopening for in-person instruction has become available, the increasing community spread of COVID-19 in counties across Oregon presents a major obstacle to returning more students to the classroom.

"Returning to in-person instruction safely is key to ensuring Oregon’s students are receiving a high-quality education that prepares them for lifelong success," said Governor Kate Brown. "But our schools and our educators do so much more than teach and inspire students. Our schools provide warm and nutritious meals to students who are hungry. They are health centers. They provide for students’ mental health and well-being. And, at the center of it all, are the teachers, nurses, counselors, librarians, and support professionals who, every day, build the personal, individual connections with students that are so crucial to their lifelong success.”

As of this week, only two counties currently meet Oregon’s metrics for in-person instruction for all grades, however, Oregon as a whole is exceeding the statewide 5% positivity rate maximum allowed for schools to move forward with reopening. Seven counties currently meet the metrics for some in-person instruction for K-3 students. (Before case counts increased, as many as 20 counties were eligible to resume in-person instruction for K-3 students). According to the Oregon Department of Education, approximately 45,000 students currently receive at least some in-person instruction in Oregon schools. Updating Oregon’s metrics without addressing the rising COVID-19 case rates in counties across the state, though, would leave most students in Oregon in comprehensive distance learning.

Governor Brown stated, “Distance learning is exponentially more difficult for parents who can’t stay home, because they work in essential sectors like the service industry, construction, manufacturing, and agriculture. Not every home in every county has reliable access to broadband or learning devices for all children. And, unfortunately, too many students do not have a stable place to call home. These are the kids who need in-person instruction the most. The kids for whom a smile in the classroom or a helping hand in the lunchroom means everything.”

The Northwest Observer interviewed a frustrated father whose son is struggling with the amount and level of technology required to do his lessons and the lack of support. He receives instruction over zoom two days a week and the other three days is expected to be self-disciplined to complete the lesson. Parents facing this amount of commitment to help their student in an ineffective program are looking elsewhere for a better more proven method of schooling.

Parents who are considering home schooling their children can review the legal requirements which are a part of the Oregon Department of Education's administrative rules.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash.com


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-10-25 06:16:57

Last Update: 2020-10-24 19:59:30