With many schools expecting to turn to online learning this fall in lieu of reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, 82% of parents report they are unprepared to begin or resume at-home schooling, according to a Homes.com survey of nearly 700 parents of school-age children. The findings highlight some of the challenges faced as the U.S. confronts another season of coronavirus-related school closures.
The survey revealed that only 18% of parents feel “completely prepared” for their children to have a remote learning experience in the fall. In contrast, 24% said they were “completely unprepared.” The rest expressed uncertainty about their ability to adequately support at-home educational efforts with 21% “somewhat prepared,” 13% “somewhat unprepared” and 24% “unsure.”
HR Technology News: With School Re-openings Uncertain, Google Spotlights Lumin PDF for Remote Classrooms
Top concerns with holding classes at home are the difficulties of focusing on schoolwork in a home setting and the loss of social interactions, particularly for children in preschool and elementary school. Those two factors topped the list of worries with 27% of answers each, followed by the lack of after-school programs (13%), parents’ inability to substitute for teachers (12%), the need for childcare (10%) and inadequate technology at home for online learning (9%).
“Our study shows just how much parents are grappling with a changing home environment,” said Homes.com president David Mele. “Countless homes may continue serving as classrooms this fall, if not beyond. It’s clear that parents have real concerns about their children’s ability to have a productive learning experience and the resulting impact on their education.”
HR Technology News: New Medscape Report on Women Physicians Finds Work-Life Balance the Major Career Challenge