School district finds mixed response for remote learning, but majority are concerned with school safety

MOSES LAKE — While remote learning was largely unpopular for the Moses Lake School District community, many are also concerned about their safety when school resumes, according to a survey published by the school district earlier this month.

The survey, published on the district’s website July 9, was composed of about 1,500 respondents, around 1,050 of whom were parents, about 375 were staff members, and the remainder were either students or community members.

A majority of those surveyed, 51 percent, reported that they or their child preferred as little remote learning as possible, while only 13 percent stated that they preferred remote learning to traditional classroom settings. The remaining 36 percent reported they would prefer a mix of the two styles. Remote learning was even less popular among staff, according to the survey.

Not all experiences with the impromptu implementation of online learning were negative. A little more than a third of both parents and staff cited flexibility as the greatest benefit. Around a quarter of both groups cited health and safety as the biggest success of the programs, while around 10 percent of both groups cited improved communication.

Many reported experiencing setbacks with online learning. Parents reported many challenges created by remote learning, including the lack of structure, communication or accountability, relatively slow learning and social isolation created by keeping students at home. About 15 percent also reported their biggest concern was their own personal limitations, with conflicting job schedules or an inability to help their child.

For 52 percent of staff members, the biggest challenge was poor engagement from students, whether due to a lack of attendance, participation or accountability from students and their parents. Around a quarter cited difficulties teaching online or creating positive relationships with students.

Despite the difficulties experienced with remote learning, a majority of those surveyed also said they were worried about safety risks when the school year begins.

Around 29 percent of respondents reported that they were extremely concerned about their or their student’s safety this fall, with another 21 percent reporting that they were somewhat concerned. Another 30 percent reported they were either not too concerned or not concerned at all, while the remaining 20 percent said that only time will tell what the risks are.

Given concerns from the community and from health officials, district officials have indicated that the school year will at least begin with a mixture of remote and in-person learning, hoping to mitigate the downsides of either option.

In-person education will come with a number of caveats, however, including reduced class sizes and a requirement for everyone to wear masks while in the building.

About 69 percent of those surveyed reported they would be very, mostly, or slightly comfortable with themselves or their children being required to wear a mask at school. Twenty-three percent reported they would prefer remote learning instead of wearing a mask, while another eight percent of those surveyed reported that they had a diagnosed medical reason that prevented them from wearing a mask.

District and teacher’s union officials have indicated that a plan for the upcoming school year will be presented to Grant County Health District by July 24 for review and then to the school board by the end of July. Labor unions will then have a chance to negotiate changes to the final plan before it is submitted to the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction by Aug. 15.

According to the district’s website, classes will begin one way or another Sept. 2.