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Drop this insulting Election Day remote-learning farce
New York City’s Department of Education replaced its usual Election Day school holiday with mandatory remote learning, catching many families by surprise. The article argues that the arrangement offered little meaningful instruction while forcing some parents to take time off work to supervise their children.
It says the change may have been intended to count towards New York State’s requirement of 180 instructional days, despite limited participation and engagement. The article criticises the city’s remote-learning provision and suggests cutting other school closures or finding a safe way to open schools on Election Day.
In short
- NYC made Election Day a mandatory remote-learning day.
- The article says the sessions offered little meaningful teaching.
- It proposes opening schools safely or cutting other closures.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Keeping schools open remotely can help the city meet the state’s 180-day requirement while preserving a predictable school calendar and avoiding the disruption of adding days later. Even if participation was uneven, offering instruction may benefit pupils who can take part, and remote learning avoids the practical and safety challenges of running schools near polling places.
The case against
A mandatory remote-learning day may count on paper without providing much real teaching, especially when pupils are disengaged or families lack reliable support and access. Replacing a familiar holiday at short notice can also leave working parents scrambling for childcare or time off, so the city should consider another closure or a safe plan for in-person lessons.