Education Week - February 23, 2022 - 3

Vol. 41 * Issue 23 * February 23, 2022
Voters in San Francisco
Recall 3 Board Members
San Francisco may be renowned for its liberalism, but in the age of
COVID-19, voters appeared to be more eager to get back to the basics
than embrace political ideals.
Residents last week recalled three members of the district's school
board for what critics called misplaced priorities and putting progressive
politics over the needs of children during the pandemic.
Voters overwhelmingly approved the recall in a special election.
" The voters of this city have delivered a clear message that the
school board must focus on the essentials of delivering a well-run
school system above all else, " Mayor London Breed said.
Breed will now appoint board replacements to serve until another
election in November.
Opponents called the recall a waste of time and money, as the
district faces a number of challenges, including a $125 million budget
deficit and the need to replace retiring Superintendent Vincent
Matthews.
Parents in the politically liberal city launched the recall effort in
January 2021 out of frustration over the slow reopening of schools,
while the board pursued the renaming of 44 school sites and the
elimination of competitive admissions at the elite Lowell High
School.
The pressures of the pandemic and distance learning have merged
with politics nationwide, making school board races a new front in
a culture war as resentments over COVID-19 reach a boiling point.
Republicans are increasingly looking to the education fight as a galvanizing
issue that could help them sway voters.
In San Francisco, one of the nation's most liberal cities, the recall
effort split Democrats. Breed, a Democrat, had criticized the school
board for being distracted by " political agendas. "
Board members had defended their records, saying they prioritized
racial equity because that was what they were elected to do.
TRACKERS
Which States Ban
Mask Mandates
In Schools, and
Which Require Masks?
There's been a flurry of activity
nationwide around masks in schools.
To better understand where states
stand, visit Education Week's tracker
of state-level school mask mandates.
5th Graders Take Up Arms
In Wyoming School Gym
Weapons are banned on many school campuses. Not so in Wyoming,
where a district recently set up a shooting range in a gymnasium, training
5th and 6th graders in marksmanship during physical education.
Hot Springs County School District #1, in Thermopolis, shared photos
of the sharpshooting session in a Feb. 2 Facebook post.
In the pictures, children are seen aiming air rifles across the gym at
a set of targets propped up against the bleachers with what appears to
be plywood.
Air rifles generally use gas stored in a small canister to propel a BB or
pellet out of the barrel at relatively high speed. While far less lethal than
true firearms, they nevertheless can still cause serious harm.
" All students passed their safety test and have been sharpening their
skills, " the post said.
As of Feb. 8, the post had garnered 13,000 reactions and 5,700 comments
and had been shared over 60,000 times. For perspective, the
population of Thermopolis is around 2,700.
" This is what America needs more of, " one commenter wrote. " Education
and responsible firearm ownership. " Wrote another: " This is so
awesome! Probably one of the safest schools in the country, too. I need
to find a school like this for my son once he's old enough! "
Of the nearly 6,000 comments, most are supportive of the district.
Still, many expressed concern and anger.
" America is a dystopian hellhole, " a commenter said.
" Do they go straight from their gun-marksmanship training to their
active-shooter drills? " asked another.
The idea that guns of any kind would be welcomed in a school is jarring
to some. But across the country, districts have trap-shooting clubs
and teams or JROTC programs that train members to shoot and compete
with air rifles.
Such programs have come under increased scrutiny since 2018, after
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Nikolas Cruz shot
and killed 17 classmates and staff members. Cruz was a member of the
school's JROTC rifle team.
Edw.link/SchoolMaskMandates
MAP
Where Critical Race Theory
Is Under Attack
See which states have introduced bills or taken
other steps that would restrict teaching critical
race theory or limit how teachers can discuss
racism and sexism.
Edw.link/CriticalRaceTheoryTracker
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DATA
The Schools Named
After Confederate Figures
Approximately 300 schools in 20 states currently
bear the names of men with ties to the
Confederacy. See where they're located.
Edw.link/ConfederateNames
4 When Students Walk Out in Protest,
Here's What Administrators Should Do
6 Here's the Long List of Topics Republicans
Want Banned From the Classroom
8 How Politics Are Straining
Parent-School Relationships
10 Teachers of Color Are Linked to Social
Emotional, Academic Gains for All Students
13 How Do You Teach Black History Without
Breaking The Law? Advice From a Teacher
14 Teachers Are Losing Hope
That This Can Be a Catch-Up Year
15 How to Give Students the Confidence
To Take on Rigorous Work
17 In a Grueling School Year, Teachers
Are Leaning on Each Other the Most
19 A Tenuous Balance: Supporting Students
While Pushing Their Learning Recovery
OPINION
20 A Former Cop's Case For Police-Free Schools
23 What Having Money for My Classroom
Would Mean to Me
28 I Teach Aspiring School Leaders.
It's Not Business as Usual
DEPARTMENTS
2
Briefly Stated
5 What the Research Says
25 Letters to the Editor
26 EdWeek Top School Jobs
EDUCATION WEEK | February 23, 2022 | www.edweek.org | 3
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Education Week - February 23, 2022

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