And some of the questions that remain, how should schools fully reopen, who should remote learn, who should teach remote learni learning, can kids really learn and benefit from a variety of a sears and is the gap between the haves and the havenots in the widening and what needs to change right now to promote and protect the greatest potential for every child in every neighborhood and every Apartment Building and every shelter times are that tough and we have a good number of her kids who are operating in living in shelters. We are going to try her best to tackle these questions ive been incredible piano with me now, you can see us on this big box, the president and chief executive of pbn, the largest noncommercial media organization, doctor spencer acting director of the National Museum of africanamerican history and culture and secretary managing partner at emerson collections and former u. S. Secretary of education and secretary margaret spelling ceo of texas 2036 and former u. S. Secretary of education paid welcome. Wanted you, should we all change the expectations on what getting an education is today in a pandemic. We cannot change our expectations. There on the path progressing to their fullest potential and getting a years worth of education. We taxpayers continue to pay more in these children and students are desperately needed. But we do need to change our expectations about how thats going to happen. Clearly, time is just a concept now. The school year is arbitrary 185 208 schedules are thrown out the window. We need to think about how we go forward and use that human capital, our teachers. Whittington think about how we do this difficult plan. Everything on the table, we need to reinvent education but we cannot shy away from expectations that this is not a lost year. This is the year that not only is not lost but we need to double up and make great progress for our students. And paula, the kids, theyre in listening to an opening childrens eyes. It really is about thinking outside the box. So should we argue working more outside of the classroom and outside of Remote Learning classrooms that are at home. Paula kerger we have since the beginning, october 4th is our 50th anniversary. When education, the decisions that was in the colander. We started out in an educational television. I thought we would be taking about julia child instead were spending a lot of time really in a very service run schools. Where all local. Our station. Were the last communicative classroom. Locally owned and governor. In relationships and the schools and they were owned by the School Systems. I got it call in early march from la unified. Austin buetner. Said look, we have kids that are going to be at home. And we know that you offer this robust learning experience for broadband. We have millions that within a month to 4 million users while contest and trend contextualizing plans is a perforated he was most concerned about kids and i like not going to have access to broadband and what we do. You cant, we are all well aware of digital gaps. And even in this shortterm, how do we look for ways, true educational experiences. How to be approaches kids. As we began to quickly to convert a broadcast to how we started ironically in the beginning. So i think there are a lot of questions that we are in right now. What we should be doing everything from the work we do with the littlest kids which is all core curriculum. But also as we look to the future, it is clear that hybrid learning is in synchronous learning will be a continuum. It had a week of them media stations and state agencies and other organizations like the smithsonian. How do we all come together look at this new learning paradigm. And think about how both are we reaching kids that have access and means to the broad band platforms and others but have we make sure they were not leaving kids behind. And even as nation, we are debating the policy of everything from access to the broadband and so forth. So think this is a moment that obviously we need to be working very hard so that were not losing time. But also we should be looking at the future to figure out how were building something that will close the gaps in the longterm. Access. That is the key. Secretary duncan, there has been no National Plan during this pandemic is a pertain to education. So School Districts have been doing the best that they can. I have been guided by such a vervariation of leadership. So how worried are you about the disparities in the differences in the approaches and standards. Arne duncan weve not had a National Plan for the virus and or one for educating. Personal red versus blue or Something Like that. [inaudible]. And at the federal level, devastating. And really detrimental gap in terms of education. [inaudible]. Across the country, connectivity and humility and compassion. Were still working with extraordinary measures. [inaudible]. The fact that they are trying to do all of these things by themselves is really hard. We talk about la, and putting in place entire Public Health systems. In every child, every animal, every family. And the educational part. Their children. [inaudible]. To doing the heroic work at the local levels. There should not be in this position. It is not fair and it is not right. It is really hard. To the educators and of course to the families and the parents of feel like they are trying the best. And to get this teachers and the instructors. Theres no lesson plans for the books for that. And i think so any households are struggling the really worried about whether the kids are getting the most out of this experience. Even though some of the resources rain part into a District Across the country. A learning and teaching institution. I grew up in Public Schools in maryland forget it and part of the curriculum was going to the smithsonian and going to a variety of museums. And buildings there. But because, this day of social distancing. Kids may not be able to do that. Except you may be opening the doors very soon right but how have you changed your capacity to instruct and reach kids. Spencer crew is to focus the attention away from inside the building activities. We done enough a lot with these school weeks. To move towards the end going the digital presence. So a lot of the learning ideas, a lot of the information that we have in the museum come he could not get of the museum. Into a variety of forms. We found that not only teachers, but parents and cared caregivers are looking to us to get materials to help inform the children. To give them sort of a variety of different ideas and ideas to wrestle with. Much more creative in how we do that. And also what we found out is what we can provide for parents and caregivers along with the teachers is a chance for them to step back and allow us to interact with the children and take a deep breath. It is been just as important as how we can be helpful to all of those who are now trying to learn about the learning in the education and a new kind why. We talked about the importance of helping people themselves is well is the children to care about education. And provide a kind of support systems about we can sort of stepped forward it to provide educational experiences for children and others. And they can take a deep breath. And then go back into the conversation. Frericka in the deep breath is really important. And beyond any kind of notation. Anything weve every experienced before. You families who are dealing with loss of jobs, loss of their wits and their heads. The mortgage. [inaudible]. And how can the educational system help these families when they are trying their best to help provide the education of these remote classrooms. Theres so any other stressors. One thing that i think we are sing and its been a hard lesson for sure is that parents are understanding obviously how valuable our schools are. How important they are in so any ways. But the secondly, there also having the lens that they might not have had into their childrens progress in into their reading levels and how well they are doing. The supports they need. In the kind of resources that it will take. So i do think the fact that parents are understanding, gosh, my kid may or may not be on track. That is a good thing. But what i am saying is the communities in the districts above all we are seeing some really very disturbing numbers right off the bat as kids are lost per unit for reduced enrollment in Early Childhood programs. Were saying reduced numbers all of this countries her kids and families theyve just checked out and that is a very worrisome sign. Gotta find them and get them back on track. For those families and the parents that i worry most about. Frericka how do you measure this very new uncharted territory. We shouldnt be in this position. We been giving them and what can we do. [inaudible]. National programs and tutoring relationships to help those kids across the country. Help them catch up. Some are sliding, some of them are not finding. Weve not had the mineral back in the schools brightest of their much behind. We cannot allow that to happen. It would go to step up and by the skids. And have the social workers go out. Weve got to do that. And differently with technology. One is we can make sure that every child in the country event says. It to the wifi to the internet. So they will not be confined to the learning in the buildings. Arne duncan and let children find their paths whatever that might be. 24 7. And its in this remote world and environment. Not teaching hundred kids a day but now 10000 kids a day or hundred thousand kids a day. Doing our best best teachers to reach the students. We need individual instruction, small individual instruction buried tutoring or whatever it might be. Summer break and we just need to meet kids where they are. Some kids might not be enough when they come home from schools. [inaudible]. And that confidence. I think that is absolutely the time. Now is the time to do and deal with that reality. Frericka do you agree paulette that we all challenged with what we do. But is this the motivation invention, reinvention on how to best reach kids are how to maximize resources that are available. Paula kerger one thing that i when i out in his that we are talking about parents of their a lot of teachers in the classroom right now. Their a lot of teachers the classrooms are trying to manage hybrid classes where you may have some kids in the class of 20 kids at distance learning. With no training on how to matt and manage the kind of environment. I think the stresses on teachers is unbelievable. Because we work with so any teachers across the country. Ive sat in on a number of processions with teachers. Early childhood that they were being with a regular basis. Teachers who meet in virtual popular room sprint if you listen to those conversations, that should really make you sit up straight and think about we have got to get our priorities straight and education in this country. Everything has been for the teachers to try to figure out how theyre going to manage during this period in the schools are open they may or may not have all the tools and support that they need. Parents are stretch beyond belief. And we are expecting teachers to jump in in ways that they have never tried to anticipate before. Any of our stations, because we have experience in distance learning, and i agreed with arnie and margaret that this idea of funny our best teachers and figuring out how to connect them too much wider group. Technology enables us. But we also had to Pay Attention to how we are managing the Mental Health of teachers who are actually in the classrooms now. And how we look to the future of again, what i think will end up being the very different way of education. I agree, the school calendars, maybe this is the moment for that. Parents i think just sort of went through that semester because it was march and april by the time they work really having to deal with the kids at home for you to some School Systems really is the summer as a jumping off point. Any School Systems really spend the time try to figure out what theyre going to do the ballpoint in hopes of the virus would be in a different trajectory. So now here we are. When we do about it. This is a big policy question. This a big question by community. And i think there has to be a moment where we look at how are we going to fill this gap. How we can create the opportunity for station, there even using their studios to do the educational concept. And again, you cannot expect in every home is going to have access. So which may or may not be connected to broadband a party to some of what our, linkedin a lot of work in the state. To download stuff into a divided party dont have to have a lot of connections. I think the pieces are there. But what we desperately needed some leadership to try to net some of this together so that you dont have 15000 it Solutions Across the country. That you have some really good examples of what is a parking that be vilified. Frericka youre not a lot. What have you been hearing from caregivers and people who youve been in touch with about the digital divide. The stress or alleviating some of the stress from every household is feeling. I think we been hearing echoes and what were talking about and that is the fact that this is a new era. A new way of trying to function and operate. Never when trying to figure out how they can best provide for their children. And what weve done a lot of is to really listen to teachers and the parents and find out what it is that we can do now we can provide information in a way that they find useful. A couple of things that will help us along the way is first of all, let people are saying is they want things in smaller bitesize chunks. They dont want it and long sort of instructional information for people to navigate. They can use and get their children engaged in this step away and then get onto the next thing. How are we providing data and information to the children partied anything in an institution, with hard think about us we are 19 different museums. And as an institution will try to look at his going get our educational part to work. Spencer crew will provide sort of a organized materials to people so that they can use. And how do we position those materials the people will find useful. So point for us to provide it if nobody wants to use them. So listening to the teachers listening to the parents and understanding how we will best provide this data to them. Thats the important part of what we do. Frericka at the same time, were in this pandemic. We are also dealing with the nation, the reckoning on race. Im wondering secretary duncan, are you anymore helpful the children of color will have more equitable opportunities. Arne duncan this Million Dollar question. Ive been making calls and done just torn justice. [inaudible]. Is the moment of reckoning for our country. In my belief, very much the wrong direction in terms of equity and racism in the last couple of years. It and were finding the pandemic and systemic racism. It in chicago and the interception of all of these things. [inaudible]. And the question is are we willing to reimagine and reinvent and do something is more fair and equitable across our society including education. I dont think will find the cure for cancer. A region will. I hope and pray that the country can find the courage so that we come out of here and we will not go backwards. Sitting here today, i cannot guarantee you that we will do that. I hope to be a small small part of an army that works to a better place. Frericka doctor do you have any more reason to be more hopeful today. I lost his audio. Im sorry. Im cautiously optimistic. I think were ended time in the country that is the possibility where i think were going into a different direction. And we take advantage of what is this is her. The commitment of oil would also a commitment of resources. And that we begin to equalize the resources. So that they have the chance to access that. And the other thing that is very important for us to think about also how do we what these children face when they go to try to learn. What are the challenges i believe is now there more at home. All of those things, the environment they were pushing against them. Its take their chances of learning becomes magnified. And take that into an account. [inaudible]. Get to make sure they were fed when they went to school. And now there at home. And bring focus on something else. And then how we reel them back in. I believe this is even more magnified as we have children at home. In all those issues are right in front of them and rather than try to put that aside. During the course of the school day. So theres a lot of work to be done. Nothing a lot of issues to take into account. I dont think theyre unsolvable but i think it will take a lot of commitment and the will to make them change and make them better. Frericka for so any kids going to school, might be in a small part, and escape but at the same time, home, what is going on at home is a huge distraction. So getting an education, that also becomes very complicated. Wondering, secretary if you have anything to add to that before make a shift in a topic. I think we have a sense of urgency around that spring worrying about the operation warp speed and debating whether were going to have a vaccine within weeks or months. In its international with imperative that everybody get the vaccine. Read that storm sort of mentality about the needs of our young people. Its less visible that we dont act now, as a consequence of re adapting come this morning lost. Will be a crisis for our country. And for individuals. And it will live on and linger for decades to come. So we need that urgency, the resources and all of the things that the doctor chris and arnie spoke about. Its imperative that this urgent crisis. Frericka and paula you talked about this earlier. The obligation that we have and what you have done to reallocate some of the resources to meet the needs rated families at home. It is in a freeforall for anybody. If you want to talk further about Media Outlets in private enterprise and civic organizations and spaces have to jump in to what you just said is an urgent crisis. Paula kerger this is definitely for us, this is a Public Service moment. This is what pbs stands for. And i think as we have looked at everything around the education alongside. After the horrific murder of george floyd, really beginning to look at and building on our partnerships with organizations like the smithsonian anothers. Theres a wealth of content that is already been built to be shared out both in broadcast accessible to everyone. People forget the broadcast is available to everyone. But also building resources on particularly for families and. Particular to those who seeking content to talk to kids about this. We are in print added talk to the kids and families about race and racism in the way that they can process it and understand it. Theres so any extraordinary scholars and people that have done great work in organizations like having bring that to your audience. Thats what we do. Where a megaphone. I think during these periods of this period of time, not dissimilar from the 50 years ago when the public broadcasting created. I think there is a specific role for the media. Have an outside influence in society. Think theres an obligation like my organization was created to try to use the tools that have access to reach everyone in a way that provides content that is of importance and significance at the time. I think this is the moment in our countrys history. And to be able to think about the past array of challenges. New touch and wanted to you as you think about kids not in school not having access to free lunch. Theres just been array of challenges in front of us. We have a moment where we can try to propel ourselves forward and look at what cracks of already existed that it is magnified by these twin epidemics that are facing us now. Frericka so hearing from everyone, everyone has to be part of solving the problems. That we are experiencing an education across the board. Whether at School Districts, days whether it is private enterprise. Civic spaces. But then he was going to make that determination. What really matters the most. Was going to be a major dip topic of state budget debates. If it all of it comes down to resourcing. We have kind of National Leadership imperative. And obviously resources but obviously education is largely state and local function. So weve got to get real about this moment of breed match up with resources and any of them restricted and constrained because of the economic situation. And then the seller sells and priorities. In my mind Early Childhood early development. Family support. And around that is certainly comes to mind mind. Were going to have to make tough decisions about resources. What are the must haves for it was nice to have. And great frankly, our media and communities and vigorous ways anothers. Thats been the hard thing for educators and policymakers run the country. I think youre absolutely right. Spencer crew its a matter of how you balance out the resources. Right now to find out who has less resources. And with our ability to get them equalized. Its. [inaudible]. To give them the same some sort of materials that other schools are getting in resources. Do that taxes pay for her do the parents japan. How do we create a much more balanced resource distribution. So the same basic resources as we go forward. As a way to equalize the whole process of learning. It. Arne duncan and is a reckoning. People say Strong Military defense. And the education is offense for the country. It and it will be the taxes do down. We have to make tough decisions. [inaudible]. But they cannot be doing them by themselves. I think now, massive federal investment. And after that, things happening with the education and kids party and in the kind of administration the people are going back to school, and resources on making the schools safe. It does not make any sense whatsoever. It shouldve happened months ago. But lets do something dont make our schools safe. More ppe. And in talking about lets invest in our children and their education. That is the only place the kind of resources are. They cannot come to the local level. That is dried up. It so that is whats missing now. The total absence of the vision. Frericka i wonder if this convergence of the pandemic and education really reveals the deficits. Exposed the needs, the real disparities. I wonder what this pandemic, what he didnt teach us. And particularly in families but what it did teach us about the deficits in the needs in the classrooms. In the School Districts. Also with an easy when this broadband. When we have nearly 6 Million Students and nearly 2 million, 1. 8 million texas students did not have access to even broadband are the devices. When you have that kind of gap on something that is basic as electricity or water. In 2020, it is just horrifying. I think that is a place that we can find consensus across party lines. And certainly facilitate ecommerce and on and on. Its a great place to start. We just give you the scale about a third of our kids do not have access to what it took. I think a lot of people saw for the first time. Either in a number of new stories and various networks. One that could really comes to mind really strong image of a mini man, she three kids thousand mom there. There an Elementary Middle School and high school she was driving around looking for the fast food restaurants parking lots where they could get a signal. So than her kids can do their homework online. I wonder, what have you been hearing or reexperiencing about what are the differences in the needs are in educational systems as a whole. That have to be fixed. Was struck me is the realization a lot of people about having a different kind of roles of the schools play in the lives of children. There is a deficit in terms of resources for education directly. But the fact the kids go to school to get food departed here to school sometimes to get a stable adult relationship rated often i think parents just realizing how their children are doing and maybe the things they thought the teachers were doing, is much more challenging. Maybe a greater appreciation for what the schools provide. In terms of education i will go back to the idea of the resources and for commitment by to understand that children are an important resource for us. And as secretary duncan said, invest now. Her will pay later. Why not invest now really give these children a real start life rated as opposed to having them struggling later on the deficits over time. Frericka paula, do you see these answers. My come sooner rather than later with greater urgency. Paula kerger i would hope so. The fact that this panel, hopefully opinion leaders and others will rally together. The i think margarets comment about broadband is correct. If we can rally behind it and get around a number of decades ago to ensure and frankly it is not just in one area making sure from an economic standpoint that everybody has access to broadband. That is such a glaring divide. Another is everything on the education system. Teachers in particular. And i think this is been an introductory but there is so much that the schools represent for kids. It also what we are expecting teachers to do now. Its unrealistic. And i think that reckoning around that is important. It and margarets earlier comment. This is where we spend most of her time in the work that we do both and broadcast as well as in the writers space. We invest in the teachers and we believe the teachers have the greatest impact on the kids. All the research has done that in the early years when kids are brains are being wired and kids are learning how to learn. And we treat the Early Childhood teachers like babysitters. We give them no professional development and we pay them nothing. And we reap the consequences. And i think there are is series of issues that we need to seriously address whether this is the moment the charms people lose to Pay Attention to what is happening or we see ten or 15 or 20 years down the pike implications of this. There we are in, that is our choice. And as leaders, can come together and try to resolve at least pieces of this. Or we can step back and deal with the consequences later. As our choice. Frericka secretary duncan, do you believe this is a moment that will read to find a. It teachers the educators. By asking them to redefine appreciated your resources that are provided. District to district for instance. It. Arne duncan everyones appreciation of the teachers. [inaudible]. s help the pandemic is revealing amount of things. Were putting a bandaid on it. [inaudible]. How we train teachers how we compensate them. How we help them develop. It and help them nurture the next generation. Theres so much along the pipeline of talent. We must do better. [inaudible]. Investing in the training investing in the kids. Thats what we have to do next. We have to do that for kids. Frericka final thoughts for each of you as we wrap up. Any final thoughts or hopes. How you assess and wrap up everything that weve all experienced in just the first eight months. I think people are seeing our schools is a vital institutions that they are to our families to our workplace during the progress of our kids, for the future of our nation. We need to hold onto that recognition by saving the day to really maximize this opportunity. We need a Marshall Plan for our kids in this moment. I know everybody on this call will be pounding the pavement in that way. What were talking a lot about the airlines and whatnot. But lets not forget about our most treasured and talent of our country during this moment. I dont want and on a down note. But i have one more cautionary note which is after going through this time, most of her concerned about the number of teachers that will leave the profession. Weve now seen so much pressure on them. So i would hope that is on a set of humans ago the National Recognition of the teachers and we can figure out a way to really rally around them. Because they are such a pivotal piece of this puzzle and are deserving of the investment. I want what was just said. I hope in this changes are taking place the parents have a greater appreciation for what teachers have to do now. If the roles they play in how important they are the lives of our children in their development. I think im going to school. I know the teachers do not can do that. I think theres a revelation. This a very difficult and challenging skilled tasks. It now people will recognize we need these investments. And give teachers the resources they need to be able to not have to struggle and work another jobs because of the lack of funds. Frericka secretary duncan, sports. Arne duncan we need courage and to recognize these opportunities. Frericka thank you so much to all of you. All of us have been enriched by all of these fantastic ideas. Our all for us hoping for better days ahead. For oliver educators and families and kids. And have the best future possible for all of her children. Thank you so much. Im so lucky to be joined by the woman you see in the other panel. N