With students soon due to head back to school, the House Education Committee convened a two-day hearing to gather testimony from a variety of education advocates and organizations about the challenges of safely reopening schools this fall. The hearing was held on August 4th and 5th.
Among the many issues discussed during the hearing were access to sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment for teachers and staff to change frequently throughout the day; availability of school nurses; liability protections; increased demand for cyber schooling; and ensuring the safety and quality of education for students with special needs.
The committee also heard suggestions for policies to support public schools and students, such as permanent mandate waivers, improved broadband internet access, increased funding for transportation, postponing new state graduation requirements, and requiring clear and detailed quarantine protocols and contact tracing in the event a student or staff member tests positive.
The hearing featured testifiers from the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools, Alliance of Approved Private Schools, PA Cyber Charter School, Agora Cyber Charter School, the ARC of PA, the Association of School Nurses and Practitioners, Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), PA Association of School Administrators (PASA), PA Association of School Business Officials (PASBO), and PA State Education Association (PSEA).
The hearing can be watched in its entirety by clicking here.