Education Choice Can Prevent Fights Over Covid Policie

Colleen Hroncich:

“One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to education.” This is a phrase that education-choice advocates have voiced for years to explain why families need options. But it’s never been truer than today while dealing with Covid-19.

Before Christmas break, many Pennsylvania school districts had considered moving to remote instructiondue to concerns about the Omicron variant. Some teachers – especially in Philadelphia – called for returning to remote instruction following the holidays.

A large spike in school closures occurred nationwide in early January, according to Burbio’s K-12 School Opening Tracker. In Pennsylvania, however, most districts have continued to operate in-person. Still, schools throughout the state have closed at least some days this month, with the largest cluster in Greater Philadelphia.

Some families felt a sense of relief when their schools announced closures and a transition to remote instruction. This was especially true for households with higher-risk family members. For example, one mother, who was scheduled to have breast cancer surgery, expressed her concern to the New York Times that her procedure would be delayed if she contracted Covid. Others, meanwhile, fear their children getting Covid despite the low statistical risk of severe infection. Regardless of their reasons, these parents should be free to choose a remote learning option for their children.