COVID-19 Is Creating a Crisis for Schools in Protecting Vulnerable Teachers

Everyone was taken by surprise when schools closed their doors to over 55 million students this spring. When schools reopen, there will be important accommodations to protect students and staff. But some teachers and school personnel — as many as half a million — may not be able to return to school building due to being more at risk for contracting COVID-19.

Although much about COVID-19 remains unknown, it has become increasingly clear that older populations are most at risk. One study by the World Health Organization shows that individuals over age 40 are more vulnerable to contracting the disease and those over age 60 are at the highest risk. Similar findings appear elsewhere throughout the medical research. Analyzing data from cases in China, a study published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal showed that the fatality rate jumped from 1.4 percent to 4.5 percent for those over age 60. A CDC analysis released in March examining US patients found similar results; those over age 65 made up 31 percent of cases, 45 percent of hospitalizations, 53 percent of admissions to intensive care, and 80 percent of deaths associated with COVID-19.

While most of the medical literature references adults older than the age of 65, it is important to note that populations approaching this age group are also vulnerable. Those in their mid-late 50s still have many of the underlying health conditions that lead to higher COVID-19 risk. Some recent research even indicates this age group is in a higher risk category. In Colorado, for example, the age group with the most COVID-19 cases and the second-highest hospitalization rate was those between the ages of 50 and 59. Older populations are most at risk and, as a result, need to take necessary precautions.

That is why most plans to reopen the economy recommend that at-risk age groups continue sheltering in place even while other measures of social distancing are relaxed. With a significant portion of teachers and school personnel in this vulnerable age, schools need to adequately prepare for what can only be described as a mounting school personnel crisis in the fall.

Over half a million public and private school teachers may be unable to return to their classrooms in the fall due to being in this vulnerable age range. Not all schools will be affected equally. In fact, private schools are considerably worse off, with over 25 percent of teachers in this vulnerable age, compared to 18 percent in public schools. There is considerable variation across states, with over one quarter of teachers in New Mexico and Maine and only 8 percent of teachers in Kentucky disproportionately vulnerable to COVID-19. Teachers, however, are not the only personnel that schools need to consider.

Bleak statistics that recently emerged from New York City’s Public Schools indicate that school leaders need to consider the full range of school personnel when preparing for school openings. In late April, they reported 63 COVID-19 fatalities. These deaths spanned across teachers, administrators, staffers, paraprofessionals, aides, food service workers, parent coordinators, central office employees, and guidance counselors. School leaders need to take into account all school personnel left vulnerable by COVID-19 when preparing to reopen in the fall.

With the 2020-21 academic year months away, school leaders, union leaders, and policy leaders can take the time to consider how to adequately prepare for the fall. In particular, they need to confront three personnel challenges. First, they will need to provide to follow guidelines from health officials to adequately protect their staff. That could include checking temperatures before individuals enter buildings, using protective personal equipment (PPE) and instituting physical distancing measures.

Second, schools will need to find new roles for teachers who have to remain at home. With adequate professional development, some could teach online or serve as virtual mentors, coaches, and tutors. For example, the College Board received nominations for teachers to lead AP Online Classes and Review Sessions. So far, the online AP classes have been viewed over 11.7 million times. States could take a similar approach with using their shelter-in-place teachers to build out videos, online content, or serve as online mentors and tutors. Or teachers could find new roles in platforms such as Outschool, Weekdays, and BetterLesson.

Finally, schools will also face new strains on teacher pipelines, as they will need to backfill positions of those who cannot come to school. Policymakers may need to act to reduce out-of-state licensure barriers or adjust their certification reciprocity agreements to make it easier to surge teacher capacity over state lines.

Superintendents, teachers, union leaders, policymakers, and school leaders will need to collaborate in order to address these challenges. They must prepare for various contingencies and scenarios. Schools can take the necessary steps today to ensure that they are ready in the fall.

John P. Bailey is a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he works on finding new ways to reskill individuals who have lost their jobs during times of economic disruption. Jessica Schurz is a research assistant at the American Enterprise.