Summary

Out of nearly 100,000 public schools in the United States, more than 90 percent are back to in-person classes. But concerns over the spread of COVID has led some districts to close for the first two weeks of this new year, and move to virtual learning. Judy Woodruff takes a look at what's behind those decisions with chief Washington correspondent, Geoff Bennett.

Five Facts

• Where are some places that have postponed returning to school due to the omicron COVID surge, according to this piece?


• What percentage of schools are hosting full-time, in-person school according to this piece?


• When did the Newark schools begin preparing for remote learning?


• Why do some argue that remote learning is harmful, according to this piece?


• How are school districts trying to limit the spread of COVID during the current wave?

Focus Questions

How would you summarize the way interests of students and interests of community health are weighed in the decision to go to remote learning for two weeks in the case of the Newark school district described in this segment? Do you think the superintendent made the right choice to go remote for two weeks? Why or why not? Media literacy: What would you like to ask Superintendent Roger Leon that reporter Geoff Bennett did not ask?

For More

At the end of the year, the CDC moved to shorten expected quarantine periods for those infected with COVID, leading many to wonder whether workers such as teachers would be expected to report to work while still infectious. For more on the CDC's decision to reduce quarantine times, see this segment .

 

A man receives a nasal swab test at a new popup COVID-19 testing site in Times Square subway station as the Omicron coronavirus variant continues to spread in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., December 27, 2021. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

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