Schools Chancellor David Banks acknowledged Tuesday that healthy students kept home by parents amid the recent Omicron-fueled surge of coronavirus cases will be able to complete coursework and not be marked absent — provided their teachers agree.
Banks repeatedly argued the expansion of the program — typically reserved for students out sick — did not amount to a “remote” learning option as there are still no formalized plans to provide live instruction.
However, he did confirm the coursework offering, which will only be available if a student’s teacher and their supervisor sign off, describing the effort as an “on ramp” for bringing families back to the classroom.
“What we’re doing is we’re trying to bring more and more of our students back,” Banks told reporters during a press conference at City Hall.
“People have been concerned and we want them to know that the school is the safest place,” he added. “But we wanted to at least provide, as an on ramp if you will, some additional students who would have an opportunity to do this asynchronous learning and maintain their attendance in doing so.”
Both Banks and Mayor Eric Adams repeatedly emphasized there are no plans to close down city schools and return to remote-only learning — and Banks said any attempt to bring back a remote option for parents would face significant logistical hurdles.
“We have not announced a remote learning option,” Banks said, before telling reporters that a remote option could potentially be on the table. “We are exploring the possibilities of the expansion of a remote learning option.”
He then further cautioned those comments.
“To turn around and do a remote learning option is not an easy thing to do,” Banks said. “It requires the reprogramming of school schedules.”
Pressure has mounted on city officials to expand options for families who are keeping their children at home as daily attendance rates remain at or below 75 percent.
Additional reporting by Susan Edelman