Parents, students continue to face issues with technology, remote learning

New York City parents and students say they are still facing major issues with technology and remote learning, even though it’s been about a month since public schools started reopening.

News 12 Staff

Oct 26, 2020, 10:25 PM

Updated 1,502 days ago

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New York City parents and students say they are still facing major issues with technology and remote learning, even though it’s been about a month since public schools started reopening.
High school senior Lucki Islam says not having the right technology for remote learning is tough.
She addressed local leaders on Monday. “It doesn’t make sense to me. It feels like nobody is listening,” said Islam.
Geneal Chacon, a mother of three, says her daughter’s iPad from the Department of Education took two months to arrive--then didn’t work.
She also serves on the panel for educational policy, the governing body of the city’s Education Department.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. says he is also worried. He says since the pandemic started, only 84,000 devices have been given out by the DOE to the more than 200,000 students in the Bronx.
Parents say many kids aren’t just lacking devices, but also a way to access the internet. They are calling on the city for free Wi-Fi for kids at home.
The mayor announced Monday that school attendance, including remote, blended and in-person learning--is 85%. This is down from 91% pre-coronavirus.
However, while it stays low, rumors are spreading of school staff reporting educational neglect to the Administration for Child Services when kids repeatedly don’t log in to class--even if it’s because of technical issues.
Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza says this is not the policy.
“There should be no threats of being reported if the only issue is a technology issue,” said Carranza.
ACS is on the same page saying in part, “Lack of access to technology is not a reason to make a child welfare report of educational neglect. We will continue to work closely with DOE to ensure this guidance is being properly followed by school personnel.”