Gov. Doug Ducey has announced a program to make sure that in-person learning continues to be an option for all Arizona families and students. With the Omicron variant now spreading across the nation, some schools have opted to return to online learning.
The Open for Learning Recovery Benefit program will provide relief for caregivers who may face financial and educational barriers due to unexpected school closures. If a school closes for even one day, students and families who meet the income requirements can utilize the Open for Learning Recovery Benefit Program.
The program will fund up to $7,000 for needs related to Arizona Department of Economic Security- approved child care, school-coordinated transportation, online tutoring, and school tuition. The CDC recently recommended that schools adopt a “test-to-stay” policy, based on data showing it is safe and much less damaging than forcing healthy students to quarantine when a possible exposure occurs — causing parents to miss work or scramble to find child care, and inflicting even further learning loss.
“In Arizona, we’re going to ensure continued access to in-person learning,” said Governor Ducey. “Everyone agrees that schools should stay open and kids need to be in the classroom. With this announcement, we are making sure parents and families have options if a school closes its doors. Parents are best suited to make decisions about their child’s education. In-person learning is vital for the development, well-being, and educational needs of K-12 students. We will continue to work with families, public health experts, and school leaders to ensure our kids can stay in the classroom and parents have a choice — always.”
“IN-PERSON LEARNING WILL CONTINUE IN ARIZONA. The science is clear, and overwhelming. We know how to keep our kids safe from COVID-19 in school. K through 12 schools should be open,” Ducey stated on Twitter.
“That’s from President Joe Biden. And public health experts agree. Yet union leaders are telling parents to prepare for remote learning,” he continued. “It shouldn’t come as a surprise, this is the same union that encouraged a teacher strike well after a teacher raise was proposed. Once again, teachers unions are playing political games with no regard for the social and emotional impact on our kids. Parents shouldn’t stand for it — and will remember these antics at the ballot box. And at the state level, we’ll be working to ensure in-person learning continues. From recruiting more substitute teachers, to ensuring that if a student is turned away for even one day of in-person learning, parents have choice and the resources to take their child to a school that better meets their needs.”
Leaders from both sides of the aisle agree that students need to be in the classroom.
President Biden recently stated, “Today, we know more and we have more resources to keep schools open… we don’t have to shut down schools because of a case of COVID-19. Now, if a student tests positive, other students can take the test and stay in the classroom if they’re not infected rather than closing the whole school or having to quarantine. We can keep our K-12 schools open, and that’s exactly what we should be doing.”
