Education secretary expects all schools to fully reopen in-person in fall

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said Thursday that he expects “all schools” to fully reopen in the fall, setting the tone for the Biden administration’s push for a return to normal for the upcoming school year. 

“With regard to … September, yes, I expect all schools to be open full-time in person for all students,” Cardona said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “We really need to make sure students have the opportunity to learn in the classroom, and quite frankly, I’d rather have it this spring.”

“Students don’t learn as well remotely,” he added. “There is no substitute for in-person learning.” 

The Education secretary’s comments came as the administration celebrated reaching its coronavirus pandemic goal of reopening a majority of K-8 schools to in-person instruction five days a week by Biden’s 100th day in office last week. 

A survey released by the Education Department on Thursday determined that 54 percent of public schools below high school were providing full-time in-person learning, according to The Associated Press. The percentage has risen from 46 percent in January.

“Until we’re at 100 percent we must keep our foot on the gas pedal,” Cardona said.

Nearly 40 percent of schools are still fully teaching remotely, and about 20 percent are conducting hybrid programs, with time split between in-person and online learning.

“We’re really reaching out to make sure that in places where they’re not offering in-person learning or full-time in-person learning — we want to make sure we’re supporting those states, those districts to find out why they’re not,” said Cardona.

Biden had announced his reopening goal amid disapproval from Republicans, who have called for a quicker return to in-person learning since the pandemic disrupted education early last year.

When asked if schools should have opened earlier, Cardona told MSNBC that, “Without looking at the context, it’s difficult to answer that.”

“We do rely very heavily on CDC guidance,” he said. “It’s critically important that we’re listening to our health experts because this is a health pandemic. In many cases as we learn new information, plans change and I’ve seen schools systems change plans mid-course based on new data. I’m pleased to see that those districts that were able to bring students in also did it in a way that’s safe.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that all schools have a version of in-person learning and that children remain at least three feet apart instead of six feet.