| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jeff Naft Jeff.Naft@mail.house.gov July 24, 2020 |
| Rep. Hill Op-Ed in Log Cabin Democrat The HELP Act, prioritizing central Arkansas students and teachers |
|
|
WASHINGTON D.C. — Due to recent concerns about returning to school, Rep. Hill introduced the Helping Educators with Learning Preparation (HELP) Act. In the July 23rd publication of the Log Cabin Democrat, Rep. Hill wrote about how his legislation would provide local school districts with the resources they need so that superintendents, principals, and teachers can successfully transition to distance learning or socially distanced, in-classroom instruction this fall. The full op-ed is copied below.
Log Cabin Democrat By: Congressman French Hill As we head into the fall, parents and educators want assurances that schools can safely re-open as children return to on-site learning. We know that even with the significant efforts of parents and educators, many students were unable to keep up with distanced learning and were left behind, which is not an option for the 2020-21 school year. We also know that this year will necessitate new approaches to traditional education while requiring greater resources and safety measures. Across Arkansas, we hear the same concerns: "I want my child to go back to school and be with their friends, but is it safe?”; "I can't work from home and play educator at the same time; what is Congress doing to ease the burden on working parents?"; "I have to go to work and there is no one to take care of my child; what options do I have?” As a lawmaker in these unprecedented times, I am committed to addressing these concerns and helping to ensure a safe return to school for our children, which is why I have introduced the Helping Educators with Learning Preparation, or "HELP Act,” to assist local school districts as they work to resume students’ learning. The HELP Act will aid elementary, middle, and high school students in successfully transitioning to socially distanced and in-classroom instruction by establishing a grant program for state and local scholastic entities to provide resources related to reopening in the coming school year, with an emphasis on ensuring distance learning readiness and protecting health and safety for in-classroom instruction. Whether this funding is used to provide hotspots for families without internet access, for equipment that enables teachers to conduct live video lessons, or for sanitizing classrooms and providing masks and other protective gear, the HELP Act is designed to respond to the needs of students and educators. Amid quickly approaching start dates and implementation of unprecedented plans for hybrid teaching methods, schools are in critical need of support and resources, which is why the HELP Act gives broad discretion to school administrators on the use of funds to allow for efficacy and innovation. It is Congress's job to amplify - not stifle - the creative ideas that come from our local parent-teacher associations, our principals, and our superintendents. The goal of my legislation is to promote learning, whether it is inside of a classroom with reduced size and staggered instruction schedules, through a computer or television screen, or in an open field on a sunny day where students are appropriately socially distanced. It is critical that elected officials enact necessary policies, like the HELP Act, to ensure our students, parents, and educators are prepared for an unusual and unprecedented school year. As parents and educators consult with public health experts, "outside-the-box" alternatives will become the status quo. As the definition of traditional education continues to change, we are making sure that students' safety and access to quality learning remain at the forefront of our educational system. |
|
|
### To learn more about Congressman French Hill, please visit: Hill.House.Gov |
|