PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia schools superintendent William Hite doesn’t want teachers to continue doing double duty indefinitely.
Under the current hybrid model, teachers are simultaneously using webcams to teach students online, in addition to the students physically in their classrooms.
“One thing we can’t do in perpetuity is have teachers trying to focus on one group of kids who are in classrooms, and another group of students who are at home,” Hite told parents Wednesday on Facebook Live.
“They’re navigating through it because it is what we’re faced with now. But we can’t support that model in perpetuity. It’s just asking too much for individuals.”
Hite acknowledged the situation has been difficult for teachers.
The superintendent said while the district is aiming for a five-day-a week in-person return in September, it’s possible students will be able to opt for all-virtual instruction.
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“That may be allowable,” Hite said. “The challenge will be, if the child remains virtual, will that child still be assigned to the teacher that is at their neighborhood school?”
“We will likely have a virtual option,” Hite added. “That option will likely be with teachers who support children virtually.”
Hite said a fall return to in-person school has not been finalized and plans could always change, depending on guidance from the city and state health departments.