A safe reopening of schools is essential to our nation | Opinion
As Florida — and America — looks to re-open society, it is imperative that we safely re-open our schools. President Trump is right — students can, and must, continue to learn full-time throughout the K-12 system.
I understand that uncertainty, mixed with sensationalist news coverage, leaves a lot of parents, teachers, and children with questions. I don’t take this situation lightly.
As someone who has dedicated his professional life to ensuring all children have access to a good education in order to pursue the American Dream, I will always put the best interests of our students first.
The global pandemic has impacted nearly every element of society in our country, and we must find common sense solutions to ensure the education of our children isn’t compromised to a degree that isn’t necessary.
When it comes to America’s future generations, it is imperative to realize that education is a key component for the growth and development of our society. Research has shown that school closures disproportionately affect the most vulnerable students, widening disparities in achievement and harming economic potential.
Just in our state of Florida, there are more than 2.5 million students waiting for a response, and if the state won’t reopen, they would be negatively impacted.
As a former teacher and as the current head of the Florida Senate’s Education Committee, I understand the value of a robust education system and having our students back into the classrooms.
It promotes collaborative learning, enhances critical thinking, and develops important personal and career building skills.
Education is far more than just numbers and letters. It’s about providing equal opportunity to all students to pursue and achieve the American Dream. This dream is about empowering our youth to create, innovate, and achieve with the goal of becoming a transcending generation.
Schools prepare and provide services to students beyond traditional classroom learning. Teachers and staff often play a crucial role in addressing learning disorders, identifying physical, sexual, or substance abuse.
By not being able to physically attend to school on a day-to-day basis, the ability to monitor these social issues are severely hampered. Another critical service provided by schools to millions of students across America are healthy meals.
As a senator I am fully committed to upholding Florida’s place as a national leader in educational opportunity for families and students.
I will continue to advocate for opportunities that would benefit education like the recently passed bills that include boosting the Family Empowerment Scholarship program and allowing exactly what President Trump has said, “no child in America should be denied the right to high-quality education because of their zip code”.
The plan proposed and encouraged by President Trump, encourages a safe re-opening of school that puts the well-being of our children first.
The president understands the importance of ensuring our children have complete access to educational opportunities.
President Trump has led through action on this issue ensuring $150 billion of Coronavirus Relief Fund are readily accessible to state and local governments to help schools districts affected by the coronavirus.
As I have done throughout my career on public office, I will continue to do what’s best for my constituents and the students across Florida in my role as head of Senate’s Education Committee.
I stand with President Trump and his commitment to re-open our schools.
Florida State Sen. Manny Diaz is Chair of the Florida State Senate Committee on Education.
