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Summary

PACE remembers Jerry as a tireless fighter for affordable, accessible higher education, and as the first codirector of PACE.

September 9, 2021 | Montreal Gazette

Canada’s literacy gap was an issue long before the pandemic. But as the health crisis continues to exacerbate existing economic and health challenges, while increasing levels of precarity, instability and inequality in many households, the need to address the problem...

September 9, 2021 | Montreal Gazette

Literacy is about more than being able to read or not. It refers to how well people understand and use printed information to function in society and the economy.  Research suggests the pandemic has not only increased inequities in literacy...

August 27, 2021 | Embed News

With Fall fast approaching, parents and teachers alike are wondering if this school year will bring with it some normalcy. But with over three-quarters of school districts offering remote learning options, many are worried the pitfalls of the past year...

August 24, 2021 | San Diego City Times

San Diego City College President Ricky Shabazz highlighted successes and challenges from the past academic year and laid out a plan for the future at the fall 2021 San Diego City College Convocation. Keynote speaker Dr. Cecilia Rios-Aguilar presented findings...

August 24, 2021 | USC Rossier News

School board meetings aren’t typically associated with shouting matches, protests and arrests. But at forums across the country, school districts have experienced an uptick in heated rhetoric and aggressive behavior. Frustrated community members are using meetings to voice their opposition to school...

August 21, 2021 | Bloomberg

A year and a half into the Covid-19 pandemic, schools are reopening amid more uncertainty than ever. Just about the only thing districts know for sure is that last year’s lockdowns and online learning were a disaster for the emotional...

Commentary author
Summary

The past 18 months have presented unprecedented challenges for education. As schools gear up for the new academic year, decisions made now will shape the recovery from the pandemic. Collaboration between districts and teacher unions holds the potential to steer education into a stronger future. Although the pandemic strained some labor–management relationships, a California study found that many districts and unions worked collaboratively to address challenges during the crisis. As education moves forward, several key areas need attention: approaching problems collaboratively, prioritizing equity, smart allocation of resources, considering staffing needs, ensuring school safety, and potentially empowering school-level labor–management teams. These steps are vital for a robust recovery and the creation of an education system grounded in fairness and effective learning.

August 18, 2021 | EdSource

The pandemic has touched many students with heightened stress, disruptions and remote learning hurdles, but experts say it may have the greatest impact on the youngest learners, those in the formative years of learning to read. Creating a language-rich environment on...