It has been just over a week since Governor Wolf announced that schools would be closed for the rest of the academic year. This has brought sadness and a deep sense of loss to students, families, and educators.

As school districts transition to remote learning, teachers are doing extraordinary work to figure out how to keep fidgety first graders engaged; help fourth and fifth graders, old enough to feel their parents’ anxiety, remain interested in science and social studies; ensure high schoolers remain on track for graduation; and meet the needs of students with disabilities and English language learners —all while students are at home.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has made online curriculum available to students at no cost and has partnered with public television stations to connect families with thousands of hours of educational programming. Intermediate units are finding creative solutions to help students connect, experimenting with mobile hotspots and using school building parking lots as WiFi hubs.

However, families face unparalleled challenges as they help students continue learning. Some parents are working long shifts in hospitals and warehouses or performing other essential services. Others are working full-time jobs from home, and still others have lost their jobs and are trying to figure out how to make ends meet.

And students do not have equitable access to remote learning.

COVID-19 has laid bare the tremendous inequities in our education system. Many districts can’t afford to give each student a personal computer. And many families either can’t afford high speed internet service in their homes or, in Pennsylvania’s broadband deserts, high speed internet is simply not available.

That’s why Education Voters has called on Governor Wolf to establish a remote learning task force. Remote education cannot replace the rich teaching, learning, and supports that students receive in school buildings. We do need to be prepared, however, for an immediate future that may involve extended school closures.

Click HERE to read our commentary in the Pennsylvania Capital-Star.

A task force creates an opportunity for school leaders and broadband experts throughout the state to provide careful and knowledgeable guidance on how to address disparities, strengthen remote learning for every student in the commonwealth, and help bridge the digital divide that leaves too many students behind–even when school buildings are open.

Earlier this week, I joined Marc Stier from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center for a webinar with the PA Schools Work campaign to talk about state budget and school funding issues and how this will impact our advocacy work this year. We have a rough road ahead.

Click HERE to watch the webinar.

The budgetary and economic impact of COVID-19 will be staggering. We will need be vigilant during budget negotiations and send lawmakers a strong and united message:  they must not cut funding from schools this year, but instead commit to funding education and helping ensure that all children have an equal chance for success.

Next week we will have more specific information about school budgets to share. Please stay tuned.

Thank you for your continued support of public education. We will get through this together.