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Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a news conference at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse in April.Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com
New York — Gov. Andrew Cuomo suggested today that remote learning could become a permanent part of life for New York students, even after the coronavirus pandemic ends.
“The old model of everybody goes and sits in a classroom and the teacher is in front of that classroom and teaches that class and you do that all across the city, all across the state, all these buildings, all these physical classrooms,” Cuomo said during a press briefing in New York City. “Why? With all the technology you have?”
Cuomo didn’t say buildings won’t reopen at all. But the state is exploring the possibility that schools will use distance learning in bigger ways in the future, he said.
He acknowledged New York is still new at this and learning as it goes along. Teachers need training. Some students still need devices.
Cuomo first closed schools in March to slow the spread of the virus. Students have been completing lessons and assignments from home since then.
Reopening schools will be a massive undertaking requiring new policies and procedures, Cuomo has said. He has also said he wants to use the opportunity to improve schools.
The pandemic will spark a willingness to change and adapt, Cuomo added. After all this, he said people will realize how vulnerable we are and understand the need for a new approach to education.
“It’s hard to change the status quo,” he said. “But you get moments in history where people say, ‘OK I’m ready. I’m ready for change. I get it.’ I think this is one of those moments.”
The state will also examine:
The state is partnering with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to design a blueprint for post-pandemic education in New York, Cuomo said.
Schools in the state will stay closed through the end of the current academic year.
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