What Alexandria Families Prefer For Reopening Schools In The Fall

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A survey of families' reopening preferences for Alexandria City Public Schools found more favor a hybrid approach of in-person and virtual learning. The surveys generated 11,853 family responses and 2,077 staff, the latter of which was estimated to represent 85 percent of staff.

Families and ACPS staff were each surveyed from July 6 to 12. Respondents were asked about possible reopening options (hybrid learning or virtual-only learning), factors influencing their decisions, and safety measures for in-person learning due to the pandemic. Families were asked about transportation needs, and staff were asked about virtual instruction needs.

Among families, 60 percent supported the hybrid model and 40 percent prefer virtual-only learning. In the staff survey, 32 percent said they were very likely to return to in-person work with a hybrid approach. There were 31 percent who said somewhat likely, 18 percent said somewhat unlikely and 19 percent said very unlikely.

The preference for the hybrid model received the most support among families with the youngest children. Among PreK-2 families, 65 percent supported the hybrid model, followed by 63 percent of grades 9-12 families, 58 percent of grades 3-5 families and 54 percent of grades 6-8 families.

Among racial and ethnic groups, 72 percent of white families chose the hybrid model, followed by 53 percent of Hispanic/Latino families and 48 percent of Black/African American families.

The staff survey found the highest likelihood for return among support staff — 73 percent. There were 60 percent each of school-based licensed staff and central office staff that indicated they were likely to return. Preferences among PreK-5, PreK-8, middle school and high school staff were similar.

The top factors for families and staff were physical health and safety. There were 56 percent of families that chose their child's physical health and safety as the top factor, followed by 33 percent for their child's engagement in learning and 32 percent for their family's physical health and safety. Staff's top factors were their physical health and safety (63 percent), their family's physical health and safety (54 percent), and student needs (39 percent).

There was strong support among families and staff alike for safety measures. For face mask wearing, 88 percent of families and 90 percent of families supported this measure. Temperature checks and social distancing each received support from 93 percent of families and staff. On the possibility of serving meals in classrooms, 88 percent of families and 64 percent of staff supported it.

Other school districts initially favored a hybrid model for reopening but have changed course. On Tuesday, the Fairfax County and Loudoun County school boards supported their superintendents' recommendations to start the year with distance education. Arlington County, along with the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, had already approved plans to begin the fall semester with 100-percent virtual instruction. Prince William County will provide distance learning for most students to begin.

The ACPS survey is among the recent steps in the reopening planning process. ACPS is expected to finalize plans between Aug. 1 and 14. The reopening plan is due to the Virginia Department of Education on Aug. 14. An update to the school board is scheduled for Aug. 7, and the final plan will be revealed in ACPS Express on Aug. 12.

ACPS is hosting community chats as planning continues. Zoom links and more information are included in the links below:

• Wednesday, July 22 at 4 p.m. Reopening Community Chat in Arabic
• Thursday, July 23 at noon Reopening Community Chat with Parent Teacher Advisory Council (PTAC) — in English, with Spanish, Amharic and Arabic interpretation
• Thursday, July 23 at 4 p.m. Reopening Community Chat in Spanish
• Friday, July 24 at 4 p.m. Reopening Community Chat in Amharic
• Tuesday, July 28: 9 a.m. Chat for Elementary School Students
• Tuesday, July 28: 9:30 a.m. Chat for Middle School Students
• Tuesday, July 29: 4 p.m. Chat for High School Students