Many Black Children Prefer Remote Learning, and It’s a Concern We Must Address

As students prepare to return to in-person classes, it’s crucial to acknowledge that many, particularly Black students, do not feel secure in this environment. Their safety concerns are not solely linked to COVID-19; they also stem from experiences of racism and bullying at school.

Recent surveys from the Institute of Education Sciences reveal stark differences in comfort levels regarding in-person learning. In May, 65% of white fourth graders opted for in-person schooling, compared to only 45% of Black fourth graders, 50% of Hispanic students, and just 38% of Asian American students. This disparity is influenced by factors such as apprehensions about COVID-19 disproportionately impacting communities of color, skepticism regarding schools’ ability to provide a safe environment, and the slower reopening of schools in urban areas with higher populations of students of color.

Racism and Implicit Bias in Schools

The challenges Black students face are not new. Research has consistently shown that they encounter negative biases from teachers, administrators, and peers. Many Black parents have recognized an unexpected advantage of online education: it shields their children from racial injustices. In a recent survey of 500 parents in the Los Angeles Unified School District, 82% of Black respondents cited COVID-19 as a reason for avoiding in-person classes, while 43% pointed to bullying, racism, and inadequate academic standards.

The Speak Up report highlighted that many Black parents observed their children’s treatment by peers and teachers during remote learning, which revealed a system that often fails to support them. Consequently, some parents began to question whether returning to a physical classroom would benefit their children, especially as they noticed improvements in their kids’ emotional well-being and learning outcomes when learning from home.

The Rise of Homeschooling Among Black Families

Long before the pandemic, many Black families opted for homeschooling, and this trend has accelerated since lockdowns began. Aisha Robinson, co-director of Black Family Homeschool Educators and Scholars, emphasized that racism in schools significantly influences these decisions. She noted that this bias can manifest in various ways, from criminalizing normal behaviors to failing to present Black students with equal opportunities, such as advanced classes.

Robinson acknowledges that while homeschooling differs from remote learning, it empowers parents to take control of their children’s education and address the racism they might encounter in traditional school settings. She stated, “Parents are witnessing firsthand the realities Black and brown students face in classrooms, which many find alarming.”

Black Students Thriving in Remote Learning

For numerous Black families, remote learning has led to positive outcomes. The Speak Up report indicated that 27% of Black parents noticed improved behavior in their children while learning from home, in contrast to only 8% who reported deterioration. Additionally, 34% felt their children received better support from teachers during online classes compared to just 12% who observed a decline in instructional quality.

Parents felt more empowered to guide their children’s education, supplementing school lessons with a focus on Black history and culture. Some even introduced additional activities that celebrate Black heritage and art.

Valerie James-Bass, a developmental psychologist at the University of Virginia, explained to NPR that media portrayals often paint Black students as disinterested in learning, leading to negative perceptions that influence how they are treated by educators and peers. The emotional burden of navigating spaces where they feel unwelcome can be exhausting, contributing to the better performance many Black students experience while learning remotely.

The Need for Schools to Improve

While it is encouraging to see Black students thriving in remote learning, it underscores a troubling reality: their success is often a result of escaping a toxic school environment marked by racism. As schools reopen, it’s essential to address these issues and create welcoming spaces for all students, particularly Black children.

Training teachers to recognize implicit biases is important, but schools must also prioritize hiring more educators of color and diversifying curricula to reflect a more accurate portrayal of American history and culture. Furthermore, competitive salaries for teachers are crucial; it’s unacceptable for educators, especially those from BIPOC communities, to earn significantly less for such vital work.

We must demand better from our educational institutions. While taxes may not be popular, we need to invest in our teachers if we genuinely value their contributions. Black children deserve to learn in environments where they can flourish without feeling belittled. It shouldn’t take a pandemic for us to recognize this fact.

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In conclusion, while some Black students thrive in remote learning, this situation highlights the urgent need for schools to address systemic issues of racism and bias to create a truly supportive environment for all students.

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