This story is being provided for free as part of a series on childcare during the COVID pandemic, powered by the Solutions Journalism Network and dedicated to delivering solution-oriented stories about problems our community is facing.
In an area where 90% of students are economically disadvantaged and are learning English as a second language, San Antonio Independent School District knew moving to remote learning at the start of the pandemic could disproportionately impact their students.
As we’ve covered before, school districts around the country have come up with creative ways to address the academic achievement loss called the COVID slide associated with remote learning. San Antonio Independent School District, though, was also concerned about the loss of engagement between students and teachers. It’s a problem communities across New England have identified, especially as English language learners have had to overcome language barriers to even access the technology
With 90% of students economically disadvantaged and learning English as a second language, a district in San Antonio created an app to keep them engaged.
Commentary: In District 5, COVID magnifies poverty
Jason Mata, For the Express-News
Jan. 25, 2021
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Many students in District 5 experience a “homework gap” due to lack of internet, one of the urgent issues in the district.Staff file photo
During the San Antonio District 5 City Council race in 2019, more than 61,000 residents were registered voters. Unfortunately, only 5,100 people voted. The 2020 general election drew a higher percentage of voters from District 5 but for the 2019 City Council race, which affects them more, the majority stay stayed home.
District 5 is the poorest and most underserved of all 10 districts in San Antonio. Besides high crime, homelessness and bad infrastructure, District 5 has the lowest income average in the city and the highest dropout rate. Less than 34 percent of the district’s residents have a high school diploma and only 10 percent have a college degree, according to statistics from SA2020.
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It goes without saying, 2020 was a big year for news. TPR.org welcomed more than 6.3 million page views to its website. Readers were interested in local stories including the coronavirus pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement and the presidential election. NPR stories were also popular, like this one about Jeff Bezos dad, and this story about a Walmart employee who struggled to work through the pandemic.
TPR is dedicated to providing our readers and listeners with a wide-range of news coverage. Here are the most-viewed TPR stories:
After a year of seemingly endless bad news, it isn’t surprising that our top story was one about community, nature and building bridges literally. The Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge opened at Phil Hardberger Park in December, connecting the previously divided 330-acre park. The bridge is covered with native trees and plants and is now the largest wildlife bridge in the U.S.
10 numbers that defined San Antonio in 2020
Ryan Serpico
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There are a number of reasons 2020 will go down as one of the wildest if not
the wildest years of our lifetimes.
A lot happened. In case you missed it: A pandemic. The election. A janky NBA season.
What did all of these events have in common? Numbers. Everywhere. The most
this, the first time in X years
that.
As the year comes to a close, let s recap some of the major numericals that defined San Antonio s 2020 experience.
1. Twenty-two-year streak
Tim Duncan, far left, has decided not to continue as a Spurs assistant coach for the upcoming season.Billy Calzada / Staff photographer