Abstract
Secondary or high school (HS) educational professionals expressed concerns about dealing with environmental and occupational health and safety protocols due to COVID-19. Concerns related to fall 2020 school re-opening and getting back into in-person teaching—whether full-time, part-time or some other approved hybrid model—plus ongoing uncertainty with how the state and federal government will be handling matters about mandates for virtual learning, rapid testing, vaccine distribution, etc. These concerns were related to both their experience as educational professionals and genuine interest in personal and student well-being. This study was a cross-sectional online survey in early fall from mid-September–early October 2020. Of a possible maximum participation of 740 New Jersey (NJ) supervisory-level HS teachers and administrators (e.g., department chairs, district and school principals), 100 confirmed unique respondents (13.5%) consented and completed the survey. Of 100 experienced (mean 18 years teaching) participants, 70% responded to the gender identity question (overall, 61% female, 39% male; by NJ region, gender ratios were similar). There were statistically significant differences (using Fischer’s exact test) between NJ regions regarding provision of online counseling and support services for teachers (p < 0.001); for resources and equipment for teachers to mediate online learning (p = 0.02); for assistive video technology tools (p = 0.03) and accessibility to structured online learning and professional development (p = 0.002); concerning learning aids to engage students in online instruction, online counseling, and support services for students and their families (p = 0.006); appropriate protocol is clean and disinfect areas used by a person with COVID-19 (p = 0.002); and, immediately separate staff and students who screen positive for COVID-19 (p = 0.03). There were few statistical differences by gender. This study reported what participants wanted regarding the development of future policies then implemented as reopening practices. Data can inform recommendations in NJ and elsewhere at federal, state, and local levels. Data provide new insights and valuable information to inform the consideration of acceptability of various policy measures among HS education professionals.
Highlights
In the United States (US), secondary or high school (HS) level teachers and administrators or HS educational professionals, are expressing concerns about dealing daily with environmental and occupational safety and health (S&H) due to COVID-19
Given the decentralized decision-making that occurred across the United States, reopening protocols and procedures require additional information on the front-line perspective of HS professionals who are charged with implementation and are themselves confronted with occupational safety and health concerns
Of 100 participants, 71% responded to the question about the number of years of teaching experience of participants, overall and within New Jersey (NJ) K-12 schools—public, private, and charter combined—through the end of the 2019–2020 school year
Summary
In the United States (US), secondary or high school (HS) level teachers and administrators or HS educational professionals, are expressing concerns about dealing daily with environmental and occupational safety and health (S&H) due to COVID-19. Public Health 2021, 18, 4083 moving fully to remote learning in Spring 2020, new concerns emerged in the US, primarily related to the fall 2020 re-opening of schools and getting back to school in-person—whether full-time, part-time or some other approved hybrid model—and the ongoing uncertainty about how the federal government and state government policies would handle mandates for virtual learning, rapid testing, vaccine distribution, etc These concerns among HS educational professionals have reflected both their expertise and genuine interest in personal and student S&H. Given the decentralized decision-making that occurred across the United States, reopening protocols and procedures require additional information on the front-line perspective of HS professionals who are charged with implementation and are themselves confronted with occupational safety and health concerns In response to this evidence, this study summarizes results of a multi-part online survey developed in spring-summer. Results were divided into self-reported opinions of HS educational professionals in two major areas of local policies and practices: (i) Teaching and learning in the virtual online environment compared to typical in-person classrooms, shops, laboratories, and other school settings; and (ii) HS occupant safety and health
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