March 29, 2024
Sean Rhomberg
Professor Robert Maranto presents his latest publication, “COVID-19 and Schools: Policy, Stakeholders, and School Choice.”
The unprecedented reach of the COVID-19 crisis affected educational institutions worldwide, compelling 195 countries, including the United States, along with tens of thousands of public schools, public charter schools, and private schools to navigate a multitude of responses.
Professor Robert Maranto and Auburn University’s Associate Professor David Marshall collaborated on this project to evaluate the lessons learned during the pandemic through an educational lens.
Maranto, holding the 21st Century Chair in Leadership within the Department of Education Reform, boasts extensive fieldwork experience in over 200 schools. Additionally, he has dedicated five years to his local school board and over a decade to a cyber charter board. Marshall’s background includes chairing the Alabama Public Charter School Commission and teaching social studies at middle and high school levels in Philadelphia.
Published by Routledge, COVID-19 and Schools compiles peer-reviewed research contributions from esteemed experts, shedding light on the pandemic’s impact on educators, students, parents, teaching methodologies, enrollments, and institutional advancements. This groundbreaking book is poised to unveil empirical insights into the enduring educational repercussions anticipated for years to come.
Throughout the book, Maranto and Marshall highlight key discoveries, such as:
- The prolonged closure of physical schools in the U.S. compared to other developed nations.
- The significant disparities in school closures, reopenings, and instructional approaches observed across different states and educational sectors (public, private, and public charter schools).
- The escalating challenges faced by educators across all sectors during the pandemic, attributed to the incessant policy changes and the unprecedented pressure to deliver instruction through physical, hybrid, and online platforms concurrently.
Maranto remarked, “Fear-driven decision-making often leads to errors, resulting in numerous missteps during the COVID-19 era. The interconnectedness of global travel and trade yields substantial benefits, yet it also heightens the risk of future pandemics, given the seamless transmission of pathogens across borders. Our readiness for the next crisis will undoubtedly be enhanced.”
Sources:
- [ppp1]