Howard to introduce resolution to create task force to study remote learning: Stresses need to determine best practices during COVID-19 pandemic
Rep. Kristine C. Howard July 8, 2020 | 4:57 PM
HARRISBURG, July 8 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, today announced that she is introducing a resolution to create a task force to study the effects of remote learning on students.
“The COVID-19 pandemic required schools to provide an extended period of remote learning without the planning necessary to ensure that all students’ educational needs would be met,” Howard said. “Given the extraordinary situation schools found themselves in, they had to deliver remote learning ad-hoc to students of varying means, abilities and circumstances.
“The problem is, we don’t know how effective this style of learning is and the areas which need improvement. This is a serious gap in our knowledge that has immediate and long-term effects on our children.”
According to Howard, in the coming academic year, many students will once again engage, at least partially, in remote learning.
Howard is concerned that since there has been little research done to examine the effects of remote learning on educational outcomes and student wellbeing --including its impacts on students of differing geographic, linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds—neither schools nor parents can be assured that the students will receive the education they need to advance in school.
“Given the uncertainty of how long our schools will be relying on remote learning, we need to act now to identify best practices to better inform future research, legislation and school policies,” Howard said.
“My goal for the task force would be the creation of a report that would identify best practices and detail critical factors and barriers to successful implementation of remote learning, with special attention given to educational outcomes and students’ social emotional, mental and physical health.”
Questions about the resolution can be directed to Howard’s office at (610) 251-1070 or by email at RepKHoward@pahouse.net.