Atlanta Parents Call On Gov. Kemp To Close Digital Divide

ATLANTA, GA — Monday is the first day of school for Atlanta Public Schools. The beginning of this academic year is very different from previous years due to the pandemic.

The district decided on remote learning, but some parents have expressed concerns.

In recent months, Atlanta Thrive has launched a “Parent Manifesto” demanding change from APS leaders and city officials. That parent manifesto, signed by hundreds of public school parents across the city, calls for a comprehensive action plan to improve remote learning, close the digital divide, and develop an individualized plan for each student’s academic growth.

Kimberly Dukes, Executive Director of Atlanta Thrive, released the following statement on the first day of school:

“While we are working closely and constructively with Atlanta Public Schools officials, more must be done. With the first day of school finally here, we commend the willingness of APS school leaders to engage with parents, who are deeply anxious about what’s to come. We have a lot to do to ensure that we are creating a fair and equal learning environment for all kids – not just some. Remote learning has the ability to make existing inequities even worse, and parents need a plan to ensure that existing gaps don’t widen more. That is not just an academic issue. It’s a moral one.

“We also know that closing a longstanding digital divide cannot solely fall on individual school districts. That’s why we are calling on Governor Kemp to prioritize funding for low-income students in our city so that much-needed devices and back-ups computers can be purchased. Put simply, funding should go to where the need is greatest. This school-year will be unlike any other, but by proactively listening to the needs of parents and redoubling support for students who need it most during these challenging times, we will be able to improve academic outcomes despite the obstacles created by the pandemic – together.”

Atlanta Thrive is also demanding that Governor Brian Kemp “prioritize the needs of low-income students at APS.” The governor’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request to comment.

The parent group says it still has critical questions that the district hasn’t answered:

• How quickly can all families be guaranteed to have a learning device and internet connectivity to access classrooms?
• How is APS tracking how many kids are participating in virtual learning? What additional academic supports will be provided if students miss an extended period of learning?
• What mechanisms and plans are in place to ensure no students will be lost in the transition to remote classrooms? What will happen if hundreds or thousands of vulnerable children do not attend virtual instruction, and what systems will be in place to communicate with those families and children to get them back in school?
• Will every child receive her or his own individualized learning plan based on an assessment so that teaching is not one-size-fits-all, and each child can engage in an academic program that meets individual needs?

APS didn’t immediately respond to questions.

The district gave parents an Aug. 12 deadline to complete a technology survey to “ensure every student has a device and an internet connection to access online instruction.” They were told that the device delivery ETA wouldn’t be guaranteed if submitted after the deadline, but the information would still be captured.

Schools also experienced issues with Zoom Monday morning. The district shared on its website that it was currently down and that classrooms would need to switch to Google Meet.