Teachers’ Unions Role During Pandemic School Closures

Categories: National School NewsWeather Delays/Cancellations

Students engaged in online learning, reflecting the shift to remote education during the pandemic.

News Summary

Research indicates that teachers’ unions were instrumental during the pandemic-related school closures, highlighting a complex debate over the need for these measures. A significant study revealed that 70.4% of COVID transmissions started with pediatric cases, challenging the perception that children were minimally affected by the virus. Critics have blamed unions for learning losses due to school closures, while supporters argue the actions taken were necessary for public health. Polling shows many parents felt remote learning was effective, complicating the narrative of educational detriment during this unprecedented crisis.

Los Angeles – Research findings have emerged supporting teachers’ unions during the pandemic-induced school closures, contributing to the ongoing debate over the necessity of such measures. Critics previously argued that the closures were unwarranted, suggesting children were largely unaffected by pandemic-related dangers, but new data suggests a more nuanced reality.

A significant study highlighted that 70.4% of household COVID transmissions began with a pediatric case, indicating that children played a considerable role in virus spread. This contradicts the narrative that children were safe from serious COVID-19 complications; parents and educators were faced with complex decisions regarding public health and child safety amid the pandemic.

Opponents of teachers’ unions like Ben Austin and Corey DeAngelis have accused organizations such as United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) of prioritizing union interests over children’s educational needs during the pandemic. Critics assert that the school closures led to substantial learning loss, which they attribute to the influence of teachers’ unions. Detractors describe the teachers’ unions’ actions as detrimental to students, who they claim missed critical in-person instruction.

However, research also points to the necessary consequences of school closures. A global study published in “PLOS Medicine” concluded that these closures significantly reduced peak hospital occupancy in a vast majority of the 74 countries analyzed. Likewise, a separate study by the British Medical Association found that school disruption was linked to lowered COVID-19 outbreaks in local communities.

The impact of the virus on children was profound, with over 140,000 American children suffering the loss of a parent or caregiver due to COVID-19, with minority communities facing a disproportionately higher toll. Although children often exhibited asymptomatic cases, teachers’ unions argued that families living in crowded conditions were more susceptible to the virus, framing school closures as a protective measure for these vulnerable populations.

Polling efforts reveal that many parents were satisfied with the remote instruction provided during school closures, with two nationally representative surveys indicating that between two-thirds and three-fourths believed their children were receiving adequate educational support at home. Personal surveys also highlighted that, as of March 2021, only 15% of parents expressed a desire for their children to return to in-person learning.

Despite criticisms regarding learning loss, educational leaders maintain that the lockdowns were a necessary response in an unprecedented public health crisis. Schools grappled with pressures around attendance requirements, which created potential chaos if parents resisted returning their children to physical classrooms.

UTLA’s actions during the pandemic were characterized by its leaders as being taken in good faith, aiming to protect students and families based on the evidence available at the time. The union also engaged in broader social justice aims during contract negotiations, tackling issues like diversity, equity, and resources for marginalized communities. Their current bargaining proposals advocate for improved wages, reduced class sizes, and targeted support for underprivileged neighborhoods.

The fallout from the pandemic continues, with ongoing teacher layoffs driven by budget constraints tied to declines in enrollment and limited federal COVID relief funds. While education advocates recognize the learning gaps caused by remote learning, they underline the importance of prioritizing public health until it was deemed safe for children to return to in-person schooling.

The discourse surrounding teachers’ unions, school closures, and child safety continues to evolve as more data emerges, painting a complex picture of the decision-making process during the COVID-19 pandemic.