Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com
SANTA FE — Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart hosted a virtual conference call with members of the media 10-11 a.m. today.
Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky, Children, Youth and Families Secretary Brian Blalock and Indian Affairs Secretary Lynn Trujillo joined Stewart for the call.
Stewart announced that schools will remain closed through the end of this academic year in May. Educators will communicate with students online and via cell phone, Stewart said.
School meal deliveries are being accomplished through delivery to bus stops and the “grab and go” program,which disperses meals curbside at New Mexico schools. Around 150,00 kids a day are being fed through the meal service, he said.
([Los Alamos Public Schools is serving free breakfast along with free lunch as part of the Free Emergency Meals program for any child 18 and under. Meals are packaged together for one single distribution. Single pick up times are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday at Aspen Elementary School and noon to 1 p.m. at Chamisa and Piñon elementary schools.)
Education plans will be locally determined, including how students will demonstrate competency, Steward said. PED is urging districts to use pass/fail rather than letter grades. GPAs will be determined using grades prior to the implementation of pass/fail. Instruction is set to begin April 8, with plans in place.
“No senior will be denied graduation due to inability to complete the local plan,” Stewart said. “Support plans will be developed for students who need help to graduate on time.”
Graduation ceremonies will go ahead at a time when it is safe, he said.
According to Steward, plans for additional SAT and ACT testing in the summer are underway and some colleges are waiving the test scores for college admissions. Plans for AP testing access are also in the works.
“PED has waived requirements for instructional hours, but superintendents and charter leaders must create an educational plan,” Stewart said. “There are many creative ways teachers have been keeping students engaged.”
Stewart stressed that education efforts being undertaken are not “a replacement for school” and may not meet the critical standards of instruction. The point is to keep students engaged and on track, he said.
“Employees are working and being paid,” Stewart said. “This is not time off. Employees continue to feed kids and tend to their needs as well as providing instruction. Students need us more than ever.”
Educational assistants are working and being paid and are especially important in serving special needs students, he said.
“This is not a period where we’re waiving special education provisions,” Stewart said. “Distance learning should not be seen as a barrier.”
Virtual and online, as well as telephone communication are options districts are employing, he said. IEP meetings will continue to be held.
Sec. Trujillo was asked about tribal access to learning, especial on reservations.
“There is a huge digital divide when it comes to reservations,” she said. “Temporary hot spots and connecting through wireless means are being explored. Also libraries and some businesses are providing some access to the Internet.”
Sec. Blalock addressed the needs of homeless students.
“We are working with youth shelters and getting them the supplies they need,” he said. “Providing a safe and stable place for students has to be the main focus.”
Sec. Groginsky said her department is meeting with childcare providers daily to make sure facilities remain open to serve parents who must be at work during the pandemic emergency.