The Latest from VEA

MEDIA ADVISORY

VEA President Dr. James J. Fedderman issued this statement today:

None of us thought restricting in-person instruction during the pandemic would be beneficial to student outcomes. This was not and is not a political issue. It’s always been about saving lives. Going to virtual instruction was a painful concession. But the numbers bear it out: It’s clear from numerous public health studies that schools that chose full in-person instruction during periods of high COVID rates contributed to significant community spread and mortality.

Any discussion of test scores or other student outcomes should be tempered with the somber reality of our need for safety during a global pandemic and the trade-off for human life. Presenting the choice to provide virtual instruction without the context misrepresents the intent of educators and school leaders, which was always to get students back in the classroom as soon as possible.