DeVos Criticizes Fairfax Schools Reopening Plan; Leaders React

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos had some criticism for Fairfax County Schools' virtual learning during the pandemic and reopening plan for the fall. Leaders from the school system, the largest in Virginia, responded in defense of the plan providing only virtual learning or a mix with two days of in-person learning.

In late June, the Fairfax County School Board agreed on a hybrid reopening plan. Families can choose between two options: full-time virtual learning or a mix of in-person learning and virtual learning. Because of social distancing and other health guidelines, students would be in school buildings on rotating days.

Here's what DeVos said about Fairfax County Schools on Wednesday:

We see as we talk about reopening schools, there are some creating false paradigms for the fall. And here, right in our neighborhood, the DC area Fairfax County, which is one of the most well-funded, I would call it an elite public school system in America, offered families a so-called choice for this fall: either zero days in school for their students or two days. And their springtime attempt at distance learning was a disaster. But I give this as an example because things like this cannot happen again in the fall. It would fail America's students, and it would fail taxpayers who pay high taxes for their education. Ultimately it's not a matter of if schools should reopen. It's simply a matter of how. They must fully open and they must be fully operational, and how that happens is best left to education and community leaders.

The remarks from DeVos come as President Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal funding for schools that do not reopen in the fall. Trump tweeted that he disagreed with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for reopening schools.

"In Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and many other countries, SCHOOLS ARE OPEN WITH NO PROBLEMS," the president tweeted. "The Dems think it would be bad for them politically if U.S. schools open before the November Election, but is important for the children & families. May cut off funding if not open!"

According to NPR, federal funding accounts for below 10 percent of public schools' funding, and those federal dollars have already been allocated by Congress.

School leaders responded to DeVos, saying their hybrid reopening plan factors in the safety of students and staff.

The Fairfax County Federation of Teachers leadership criticized DeVos' call for a normal return to school. In June, the teachers' union surveyed 575 members and found 74 percent aren't comfortable returning to schools.

"DeVos’ belief that we can return to school as normal is setting us all up for failure," said Tina Williams, president of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers. "A safe return to school is one that includes clear and concise guidelines that protect our students and those who work with them. We must use data-driven standards to create a safe working and learning environment."

Williams also said there are "unanswered questions" about FCPS guidelines for reopening. She claimed only some teachers were asked for their preference of virtual or in-person learning.

"For example, what will contact tracing and monitoring look like, how will personal protecting equipment be provided and distributed to students and staff, and what are the protocols for a child or staff member when they get sick?" Williams said. "Our educators really fear that the school district will still fall short during this health crisis, and that’s largely because the current plan still lacks many of these details."

Fairfax County Public Schools recently extended the deadline for families to choose a return-to-school option. The decision must be made by July 15.

If public health conditions improve, FCPS could re-evaluate its operating status and consider resuming in-person instruction for all students.

Fairfax County, Virginia's most populous jurisdiction with over 1 million people, leads the state in coronavirus cases. As of Thursday, there have been 14,284 total cases and 497 deaths. New cases and the positive rate of tests have declined and leveled off in the Fairfax Health District since reaching peaks in earlier months.