The Nebraska Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is holding its fourth and final session on February 27, 2024, to examine the impact of COVID-19 on education and civil rights in the state. The session will focus on the mental health and well-being of students, teachers, and parents, as well as the challenges and opportunities for online and hybrid learning.
The impact of COVID-19 on education and civil rights
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the education system in Nebraska, as well as in the rest of the country and the world. According to the Nebraska Department of Education, more than 300,000 students and 23,000 teachers were affected by school closures, remote learning, and health and safety protocols in the 2020-2021 academic year. The pandemic has also exacerbated the existing inequalities and disparities in access, quality, and outcomes of education, especially for students from low-income, rural, minority, immigrant, and special needs backgrounds.
The Nebraska Advisory Committee, which is composed of 18 members appointed by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, has been conducting a series of virtual public meetings since November 2020 to gather information and testimonies from various stakeholders, experts, and advocates on the impact of COVID-19 on education and civil rights in Nebraska. The committee’s goal is to produce a report with findings and recommendations that will be submitted to the commission and the President and Congress of the United States.
The mental health and well-being of students, teachers, and parents
The fourth and final session of the Nebraska Advisory Committee will focus on the mental health and well-being of students, teachers, and parents, who have faced unprecedented stress, anxiety, isolation, and uncertainty due to the pandemic. The session will feature presentations from mental health professionals, educators, and parents, who will share their experiences, challenges, and best practices for coping and supporting each other during this difficult time.
Some of the topics that will be discussed include:
- The prevalence and impact of mental health issues among students, teachers, and parents, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, and suicide
- The availability and accessibility of mental health services and resources for students, teachers, and parents, such as counseling, therapy, peer support, and crisis intervention
- The strategies and policies for promoting mental health awareness, prevention, and intervention in schools and communities, such as screening, referral, training, and collaboration
- The challenges and opportunities for addressing the mental health needs of diverse and vulnerable populations, such as students of color, LGBTQ+ students, immigrant and refugee students, and students with disabilities
The challenges and opportunities for online and hybrid learning
The fourth and final session of the Nebraska Advisory Committee will also explore the challenges and opportunities for online and hybrid learning, which have become the new norm for many schools and students in the wake of the pandemic. The session will feature presentations from researchers, educators, and students, who will share their insights, innovations, and recommendations for improving the quality and effectiveness of online and hybrid learning.
Some of the topics that will be discussed include:
- The impact of online and hybrid learning on student achievement, engagement, and motivation, as well as on teacher performance, satisfaction, and retention
- The best practices and lessons learned for designing, delivering, and assessing online and hybrid learning, such as curriculum, instruction, technology, and feedback
- The barriers and facilitators for implementing online and hybrid learning, such as infrastructure, funding, policy, and leadership
- The implications and prospects for online and hybrid learning for the future of education, such as equity, access, innovation, and collaboration
How to participate and learn more
The fourth and final session of the Nebraska Advisory Committee will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Central Time, via Zoom. The session is open to the public and free of charge. Anyone who is interested in attending can register online or call 202-376-7533. The session will also be live-streamed on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights website and recorded for later viewing.
The Nebraska Advisory Committee welcomes written comments from the public on the topic of the impact of COVID-19 on education and civil rights in Nebraska. The comments can be submitted by email to mwrointern2@usccr.gov or by mail to U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 230 S. Dearborn Street, Suite 2120, Chicago, IL 60604. The deadline for submitting comments is March 31, 2024.
The Nebraska Advisory Committee is expected to release its report on the impact of COVID-19 on education and civil rights in Nebraska by the end of 2024. The report will be available on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights website and will be distributed to the public and the media.
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