Both Presidents Obama and Clinton were acutely aware of the risk of overreaching - alienating centrists by pushing plans seen as going too far. They’ve gotten more traction by focusing on the administration’s troubled handling of an upswing of mostly young migrants trying to cross the southwestern border.īiden’s activism amounts to a strategic bet that flips an idea that guided the last two Democratic presidents. This story has been updated with the signing of the executive orders.To their publicly expressed frustration, Republicans have had little success with that line of attack. The American Federation of Teachers is calling for five specific things schools will need to reopen: tools like masks and cleaning supplies to mitigate the spread of the virus in buildings, testing and contract tracing, accommodations for at-risk teachers, quick vaccinations for teachers, and honesty and transparency about the guidance.īechara Choucair, Biden’s pick to head vaccine coordination, said Wednesday that the administration will call on states to open up vaccine eligibility to teachers, along with first responders, grocery store workers and people over 65. But it will take time for that money to make its way to school districts even if it’s approved. Congress, where Democrats now control both the House and the Senate, could take up the bill as early as next week. The new funding would be part of a broad $1.9 trillion relief package that would also include expanding unemployment benefits and direct stimulus checks. Congress approved $82 billion in aid for schools in December, which Biden has said he views as a “down payment.” Biden is pushing Congress to approve another $170 billion for K-12 schools, colleges and universities to help them operate safely in person or facilitate remote learning. Teachers’ unions and Democrats have long argued that the ability to open schools also depends on the resources available. “It’s an aggressive plan, no question,” Pringle added, noting there’s “nothing educators want to do more than be back in person safely with their kids.”Ĭongress is urged to provide resources needed to reopen National Education Association President Becky Pringle said the 100-day pledge sends a strong message that reopening schools is a top priority for Biden but that it’s “not about the days, it’s about the urgency he’s putting on the issue.” None of this is done in isolation,” Weingarten said. “I’m on board with the goal, but I’m very concerned about this new variant. Experts have warned that more transmissible variants, including the one first seen in the UK, could send cases surging again. ![]() Union heads describe having a close working relationship with the Biden team but argue that the 100-day goal is a big challenge.Īmerican Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten says the goal may need to be reassessed depending on how the coronavirus is spreading over the next few months. Teachers have resisted reopening plans in major cities like Washington and Chicago. While many districts across the country are open, about half of K-12 students are currently attending virtual-only schools. Union leaders question 100-day time frame The administration will always be honest about the challenges we face, including addressing how and whether changes in the pandemic may impact the reopening of schools or the ability of schools to reopen,” Johnson said. “The health and safety of students, educators, staff and families is paramount. ![]() On a call with reporters Wednesday, Carole Johnson, Biden’s Covid testing coordinator, acknowledged that the reopening timeline may need to be extended. Inside Joe Biden’s newly decorated Oval Officeīiden’s reopening policy is in stark contrast to former President Donald Trump’s threats to withhold federal relief funding from schools if they didn’t reopen for in-person learning, which neither Trump nor Congress ever put into action. ![]() Biden targets Trump’s legacy with first-day executive actions.
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