Most PGCPS Families Not Yet Ready For Return to Schools: Survey

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A survey found that most families are not ready to send their students back to classrooms, Prince Goerge's County Public Schools reports. The school system detailed the questionnaire's main findings in a summary released Wednesday:

• 68 percent of parents say they're uncomfortable with in-person instruction
• 22 percent percent are somewhat or very comfortable with in-person classes

A majority of families still believe their students are getting a quality education through distance learning, PGCPS notes.

• Nearly 70 percent of parental respondents believe the distance learning services are at least "Good"
• More than one-quarter rated the current services as "Excellent"

Most students appreciate the chance to stay healthy and work at their own pace. Still, many feel disconnected from academic and social resources, the writeup continues.

Students are having a hard time in these areas:

• Staying focused and interested in virtual classes
• Problems with technology
• Missing the social interaction with friends and teachers
• Not really understanding the work
• Having trouble asking questions to and connecting with their teachers
• Having too much work and too many independent assignments

Middle and high schoolers reported more emotional distress than elementary schoolers. Parents of students with disabilities say they are still struggling to connect with resources.

PGCPS only released a synopsis of the survey, not the full results. The school system administered the questionnaire between Oct. 5 and Oct. 18. It drew responses from 4,672 students and 10,972 parents.

Though the sample size is large, the survey was not conducted by independent and professional pollsters who use scientific methods. That means the results offer an overview of countywide trends, but they may not illustrate an unbiased and wholistic range of opinions.

The full survey writeup is available here. PGCPS CEO Monica Goldson will host a telephone town hall Thursday evening to explain the findings and answer questions. The hour-long conference starts at 6 p.m.

Parents will automatically get a call to join the town hall. They can also dial (855) 756-7520 ext. 69047# or 508-924-5155 (Spanish-only) to join the meeting.

"I am grateful for the input from our families and students," Goldson said in a press release. "While I recognize that no scenario is perfect, working together, we can focus on safely supporting our students."

Future School Plans

Classes have been online since March. Students will continue distance learning through the end of the first semester. Goldson will update the county on her plans for the second semester on Dec. 1.

If she deems in-person schooling safe and appropriate, parents will have the chance to opt into a hybrid model for the final two marking periods.

Under the hybrid option, students would attend in-person classes twice per week and continue with online classes for the remaining three days. If implemented, the hybrid model would start on Feb. 1, which is the first day of the third marking period. Students can continue with full-time distance learning if they choose.

Regardless of their decision, families must fill out a form between Dec. 1 and Dec. 18 telling PGCPS which method their student will follow. The school system will not offer fully in-person classes until at least the 2021-2022 school year, Goldson said.

RELATED:

• PGCPS Will 'Prioritize Our Students' Needs,' Keep Classes Online
• Maryland Schools May Begin Safely Reopening: Governor Hogan
• Classes Will Be Online Until 2021, Prince George's Schools Say

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