Chicago Public Schools families given until Aug. 7 to opt out of in-person classes, even before final decision on CPS fall plan
Although no final decision has been made on what instruction will look like in Chicago Public Schools this fall, parents learned Friday that they have a week to decide whether they will opt their children out of the proposed hybrid approach for fall.
The state’s largest school system has been seeking feedback on its preliminary framework for fall, which combines two days a week of in-person classes with three days of remote learning.
Officials have stressed that parents can opt out of in-person instruction for any reason, though the Chicago Teachers Union continues to push back against any reopening of schools this fall without what its members believe are adequate protections against the spread of COVID-19.
Many parents have indicated they share those concerns, but others have said that remote learning is a poor substitute for classroom instruction and that they trust school officials to mitigate the risks of coronavirus transmission.
Parents received word Friday that they will be required to indicate by Aug. 7, through a registration form to be sent to families soon, whether their children will opt-out of the hybrid plan.
CPS CEO Janice Jackson said this information is needed to start planning for both in-person and remote learning and to schedule teachers accordingly.
“Once we have that data from our parents as well as our teachers, principals will be in a better situation to talk about how classes will be organized, how schooling will be organized and what you should expect in the fall,” said CPS CEO Janice Jackson at Friday’s session.
But some parents have grumbled on social media that, to keep their options, they have little choice but to opt in to the hybrid plan, because if they choose remote learning, they will be locked in for the remainder of the term. Those who choose the hybrid plan can decide at any point to switch to remote learning, however.
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