DALLAS –The American Federation of Lecturers is offering a brand new software to seek out and report COVID-19 instances by college district.

Texas AFT’s COVID-19 dashboard went dwell Thursday the place academics, employees and oldsters can search for knowledge and report COVID-19 instances and security issues.

AFT is elevating questions on transparency and the way a lot data on COVID-19 instances in faculties will really be launched.  They are saying their dashboard will give academics and employees an opportunity to independently report COVID instances, deaths and different security issues.

The TEA requires districts to report optimistic COVID instances weekly and notify workers and households on the affected campuses. That knowledge is meant to be made public beginning this month however hasn’t gone dwell but.

AFT reps query how a lot data will probably be reported.

“In the event that they’re solely reporting at district degree, for districts like Houston and Dallas and San Antonio, these are very giant districts that cowl a excessive degree of geography. What good does that do?” mentioned Zeph Capo, president of Texas AFT.

Some districts like Richardson, Wylie and Mansfield ISDs are reporting COVID-19 instances by campus, and Tarrant County can also be monitoring this.

AFT additionally needs to obtain direct studies from academics, employees and oldsters about instances and security issues alongside supporting paperwork like college notification letters so AFT can examine.

“We now have to be those that make sure that persons are protected,” mentioned Alliance AFT President Randi Weingarten. “We now have to be those that push again on this unconscionable pitting of studying vs. life.”

Dad and mom who’ve been combating for his or her children to return to nose to nose studying say sufficient security precautions are in place and academics have to be in class.

Julia Anderson’s son attends a Plano highschool. She says she was notified the day earlier than in-person courses began that one in all his academics wouldn’t be on campus for medical causes and the category can be taught by way of Zoom within the library. 

“After which simply the standard of schooling and the nose to nose when academics not current in school, children are alleged to go to the library, sit within the library and do Zoom conferences with the academics who’re remotely working from house,” she mentioned. “What sort of nose to nose schooling is that to be within the library?”

AFT says their aim is to offer academics a voice.

“To have extra of a direct skill to regulate their well being and security and communicate out about it and to ensure the knowledge is clear,” Capo mentioned.

Although districts are required to report COVID-19 instances to the state and notify affected households and workers, not all districts are posting that knowledge publicly.

LINK: https://www.stopthespreadtx.college/