LA school district blasts for “dismaying” attempt to get on track after COVID

Los Angeles Unified Schools District’s initiative to combat bullying COVID-era learning lossTeachers and parents have been critical of the idea.

According to The Los Angeles Times editorial board, the Acceleration Days initiative focused on helping students make up some instruction lost during the pandemic would add additional days to the school calendar – two during winter break and two during spring break. District officials are currently asking parents and teachers for input to help determine who will take part in the program.

Parents can opt out of their children and many have done so, according to the editorial. 

“Frustrated parents say answers aren’t forthcoming from the schools, which also seem to have limited information. A district webpage provides some details, but these may not be enough for some parents to make decisions soon about how best to juggle work, holiday plans and kids’ vacation during winter break,” the Times said.   

LA TEACHERS UNION BOSS SAYS CHILDREN LOST NOTHING DURING PANDEMIC, NOW KNOW WORDS ‘INSURRECTION’ AND ‘COUP’

Elementary school students work in class on an assignment.
(iStock)

Acceleration Days are intended to address learning loss caused by the pandemic. They provide additional instruction and enrichment opportunities for students, according to a press release from Acceleration Day. Numerous studies have proven that more learning time can lead to higher academic achievement. Students can benefit from personalized support and focus on areas that need improvement or enrichment by taking extra days off. Their placement during transition periods allows them to analyze formative data, which can be used to identify students who will benefit the most. 

Alberto M. Carvalho, Los Angeles Unified Superintendent, called the initiative a win for students.

“Since arriving at Los Angeles Unified, I have been very clear: the District’s top priority is to provide all students with opportunities that will set them up for success,” Carvalho said in a statement. “Students should not be restricted by their academic status, adverse academic experiences or learning disabilities. Every student deserves to have the chance to make a difference in their lives. The collaboration with labor partners is a great example of how we can deliver an impactful and focused approach to Acceleration Day. This move is definitely a ‘win’ for our students.”

The district plans to use COVID fundsTo support the initiative, some feel it has been unclear at best. According to the Times, parents claim they were not given enough information about the benefits their children would get from participating.

“Parents have received numerous texts, emails and phone calls from the district inurging them to sign-up, but they have not been provided with any information,” the outlet stated. Parents also said that “None of these communiques contains specific information that will help them decide whether or not to send their children to this program.” 

BLUE STATE COVID LEARNING LOOSE WIDENED RACE ACHIEVEMENT GAPS RELATED TO RED STATES : STUDY

The Los Angeles Times
(Reuters)

Teachers also voiced criticism, and teachers’ unions reportedly threatened to boycott additional learning days in protest of its implementation.

“This isn’t the first time that the district has tried to move ahead on this initiative without consulting key parties,” the Times added. 

“Supt. Alberto Carvalho promised a ‘year of acceleration’ at the beginning of the school year, with plans to set voluntary learning days throughout the school year,” the editors wrote. “However, a plan for extending the school year by 4 days ran into difficulties because, as The Associated Press pointed out, there was no way to do so. teachers’ unionIt should be discussed first during labor negotiations, as it is rightly stated. 

LEARNING LOSS FROM COVID LOCKDOWNS CAUSED ‘UNMITIGATED DISASTER’ PARTICULARLY IN STUDENT BEHAVIOR: EXPERTS

Students wear masks during classroom activities.
( Allison Dinner/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“United Teachers Los Angeles” threatened to boycott October 19’s voluntary learning day, before LAUSD pulled the plug.

The editors suggested that the district should have consulted parents and teachers unions in a more upfront manner. They called the effort to get the district’s students up to a desired level “monumental” since they are the second-largest U.S. district.

According to the LA Times, union officials are involved in different plays and work towards increasing teacher salaries and healthier food choices for students.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP