White House Says Biden’s School Reopening Plan Is ‘Bold And Ambitious’—Republicans Call It A ‘Low Bar’

Topline

During a press conference Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki touted the Biden administration’s school reopening plan as “bold and ambitious” even as Republicans criticize it as underwhelming, and experts note its goal may have already been reached. 

Key Facts

Surprising Fact

64% of elementary and middle school children are already receiving some form of in-person instruction, according to Burbio’s school tracker, meaning Biden’s goal may have already been met. 

Chief Critic

“Schools are already clearing this low, low bar, so what is the White House talking about?” Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) said in a statement Tuesday, blasting Biden’s plan. “Working moms and dads have been at the end of their ropes for months, and some kids have been out of school for nearly a year.” 

“The Biden administration now considers a school ‘open’ if it holds in-person classes once a week,” Rep. Fred Keller (R-Pa.) tweeted Wednesday. 

Crucial Quote 

Asked about Biden’s plan on Wednesday, Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) called it a “minimum” and said the administration would need to “strive for more than that.”

Key Background 

Complicating matters for the Biden administration are teachers unions, which are against rushing back to in-person learning before instructors are vaccinated. Biden does not have power to order schools to reopen, and governors and mayors are running into similar disputes at the local level. Recent studies have shown that the risk to teachers and students posed by the coronavirus is low, while school closures are leading to harmful mental and social health impacts on children. 

Big Number 

$130 billion. That’s how much school aid Biden asked Congress to include in his $1.9 trillion stimulus package. The money would be used to help schools improve their ventilation systems and provide protective equipment to teachers and staff, among other priorities. 

Tangent

In an interview with CBS on Sunday, Biden called school closures a “national emergency.” 

Further Reading

White House sets target for Biden’s plan to reopen schools (Axios)

Many schools have reopened without White House guidance, but can be hard to track how they’re teaching (CBS News)