-JoyAnn Boudreau “The question is, ‘How might we radically change our P-12 schooling systems so that marginalized student groups will not be dependent on charity and at an educational disadvantage during a crisis of this magnitude in the future?’” wrote Stephanie Hawley, Chief Equity Officer at Austin Independent School District, in “Convergence in the Crisis: Educational Equity and Social Justice.” It is a piece in which Hawley gives her insights on recommended steps for leading multi-system change and equity progress as well as questions to re-imagine schools. Certainly, we must consider short-term solutions and help spread the word about food pickup and other pieces of important info for families in our area, but we also must start thinking about what changes need to be made longterm. I know we are all swamped, anxious, and dealing with a lot, but if we don't start pushing back against short term inequitable solutions, they could become longterm. And if we don't start seeking longterm solutions, then we're missing a real opportunity to disrupt the systems that are already being disrupted. Our administrators, central offices, technology leaders, and more in our districts are looking for solutions right now. Let's help guide that conversation and those solutions towards equitable outcomes. If we are advocating for inequities in our library's, school's, or district's during "normal" times, then we have to try when and how we can to continue to do so now. There are inequities that are becoming apparent to previous naysayers. Here in a Tweet from Dr. Rosa Perez-Isiah asks a key question: What will we do about it? Other Questions to ConsiderDuring our roll outs of emergency remote learning are people taking equity concerns into account? (I saw teacher Julie Jee refer to the education that schools are currently trying to facilitate as emergency remote learning on Twitter. This felt like an accurate description of what is taking place. I will use that phrasing in this piece.) Are students in need being provided meals? Does everyone that need that information have it? How is that information being sent out? What is being done for students without internet? For students with IEPs? For ELL students whose parents speak another language primarily? - How can you help? What resources can we curate and share? What can you spread the word on and how? What inequities has this brought to light about your specific school or district? How can you advocate to not just temporarily change them but also permanently? Who can you have conversations with? What if you tried stretching your sphere of influence a bit further? What language are you using when you discuss COVID 19? Are you stepping in and up when/if you hear others using xenophobic or racist language? We have all had an onslaught of offerings temporary, permanent, upgrades, new resources, etc. from various educational companies. After having some conversations with some fellow school librarians in my state, these some of the considerations to take into account:
Technology Concerns |
AboutThe purpose of the ISTE Librarians Network is to promote librarians as leaders and champions of educational technology and digital literacy. The key mission is to provide a professional learning community where librarians can leverage technology knowledge and expertise to improve school library programs, increase access to information, and foster strong teaching and learning environments in a connected world. Archives
April 2020
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