UTLA Survey Shows Most Teachers Are Working Long Days, Worry About ‘Rushed Reopening’

It’s been more than seven months since Los Angeles Unified teachers and students began distance learning.

And because the county remains in the state’s most restrictive reopening tier and the district and union representing teachers are still bargaining over how and when to welcome students back, most LAUSD students will likely continue distance learning for the foreseeable future.

In the meantime United Teachers Los Angeles surveyed more than 12,000 of its members this fall about how distance learning is going, and when they’d feel comfortable with reopening campuses and classrooms.

Here are some of the findings:

• Ninety-one percent said to “provide robust crisis distance learning,” they work more than the six hours a day outlined in the district and union’s agreement.
• Almost one-third said they would not choose to go back to in-person teaching on campus until there is a vaccine or herd immunity. At the same time, 31% said they would return to campus to teach with appropriate safety measures and contractual protections.
• More than 80% expressed concern that the district will try to reopen schools too fast

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“UTLA members take the virus very seriously and are concerned about a rushed reopening,” union President Cecily Myart-Cruz said while discussing the results on Facebook Live.

She also emphasized that a return to schools “is not imminent,” and that the district and the union are still bargaining over the details.

You can read the full UTLA survey here:

Page 14 of UTLA Fall 2020 Member Survey

Contributed to DocumentCloud by KPCC Documents (Southern California Public Radio) • View document or read text

Earlier this week, the parent advocacy group Speak UP released its own survey detailing the struggles faced by students with special needs during distance learning.

READ MORE OF OUR COVERAGE OF DISTANCE LEARNING AND THE REOPENING OF SCHOOLS:

• The First 4 Los Angeles County Schools Approved For Reopening Waivers Are Private Schools
• Survey: Students With Special Needs Are Struggling With Distance Learning, Parents Say
• Here's How LA County Schools Can Be Considered For A Coveted Reopening Waiver
• What You Need To Know About LAUSD Restarting Some In-Person Tutoring, Assessments
• These Parents Are Suing Los Angeles Unified Over Its Approach To Distance Learning
• LA County Schools Are Making Plans To Reopen Campuses For Small Groups
• After Deal With Teachers Union, LAUSD Students Can Expect (Some) Live Lessons Every Day

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