9 pages of claptrap

Texas schools must offer in-person instruction for all kids who want it. But any parent can opt for virtual education.
Those in counties with more than 20 cases must mandate masks, as per @GovAbbott executive order. #txed #txlege https://t.co/uFlDi01HNc

— Aliyya Swaby (@AliyyaSwaby) July 7, 2020

The Texas Education Agency speaks; and it drops a very large egg from a very great height.  Critics first:

After the final guidelines were announced, the teachers association said they don't go far enough. "Children younger than 10 will still be exempted from wearing masks in schools. Teachers of those children should be able to decide whether they want their students to wear masks," said Clay Robison, spokesperson for TSTA. "Teachers who fear they will compromise their health by returning to campus should have the choice of teaching remotely, and it doesn't look like TEA guidelines will require that."

And the Association of Texas Professional Educators released a statement criticizing the TEA for not providing "more explicit guidance" or including educators and parents in the decision-making process.

The guidance released Tuesday requires school employees to "meet the work expectations set by their employers" but does not include many specifics for at-risk teachers who may not feel safe going into schools.

I've actually been in TEA meetings; small ones, serving lunch to a handful of people (my neighbor was a caterer when I lived in Austin, I worked for her a few times.) The pomposity and utter contempt they had "behind closed doors" for school administrators and teachers was appalling.  My neighbor assured me that was perfectly normal.  Clearly that culture hasn't changed in 30 years. My local school district has convened meetings with all kinds of interest groups: teachers, parents, business owners, etc. The TEA speaks; we are supposed to listen. Listen to nine pages of claptrap.

The guidelines do give parents an out:

School districts must offer daily on-campus instruction for all students who want it, but any parent may request that their child be offered virtual instruction from any school district that offers it, under the guidelines issued by the Texas Education Agency.

But teachers, and other school employees?  Suck it up and take it. I foresee a lot of teacher retirements in the immediate future of many Texas schools.  Yeah, that'll help.

[The guidelines] also requires school districts to post summaries of their COVID-19 safety plans for parents and the public a week before on-campus instruction begins. Districts must require teachers and staff to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms, including taking their temperature, before going to campuses each day.

Staff members must tell their districts if they have been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and stay off campus for 14 days.

I'm not sure if that covers teachers as well as staff.  Be interesting to know, wouldn't it?

The guidelines include recommendations for school districts attempting to stop the spread of the virus. Schools "should attempt" to have hand sanitizer or hand-washing stations at each entrance and are encouraged to supervise students in hand-washing for at least 20 seconds twice a day. And "where feasible without disrupting the educational experience," schools should encourage students to practice social distancing and consider placing student desks 6 feet apart.

Which is literally impossible.  Most classrooms are full to capacity, and unless 50% of all students stay home for "virtual learning," there is no way in the world to put desks 6 feet apart in any classroom.  And in the lunchroom?  On the playground, in the halls?

This is a joke.

I think my favorite part is this:

State Rep. Dan Huberty and state Sen. Larry Taylor, both education committee chairs, praised the TEA for giving school districts "freedom and flexibility to operate in the best way for their local communities" and allowing parents to make the final decision on whether their children return to campus.

I don't know of a school district that has so much as one truant officer anymore.  Hell, it's a concept as quaint as Dick Tracy and "2 way wrist radios."  Or flying cars.  "Allowing parents to make the final decision"?  The state of Texas did that years ago when they approved of home schooling, with minimal to no oversight.  Parents keep their kids at home, what's TEA gonna do?  Issue a stern memo to the school districts?

Once again, the State of Texas has struggled mightily and come up with a squib.

Oh, well, it's not like the Governor was going to do any better.  The cherry on the sundae will be when Trump declares this is his doing, and it proves he's leading the parade.  Meanwhile, in that other important institution of democracy:

In new guidance, CDC recommends alternatives to in-person voting, safety precautions for in-person voting

https://t.co/B0qY8uLo6L

— Mike Walker (@New_Narrative) July 7, 2020

I guess one is easier to solve than the other, huh?  Of course, CDC recommended schools with any case of coronavirus close the entire school for two weeks, every time a case was found.  Yeah, that was helpful, too.