Crises and Concerns: Scanning the 2023-24 Back-To-School Headlines (Part 1)

To get a sense of some of the key issues people are talking about as the new school year begins in many parts of the Northern hemisphere, we’re scanning the back-to-school related headlines of the education sources we follow. Part 1 of 2023’s Back-to-School Series pulls together headlines that collectively show many of the different problems that students, educators and schools are facing in 2023. Part 2 will share the many headlines and stories focused on the natural disasters, heat and climate change related crises that have interfered with the start of school in many parts of the US. Part 3 collects some of the back-to-school guidance and the issues to watch in the coming year — including the use of AI in schools.

For back-to school headlines from fall 2022 see Hope and trepidation: Scanning the back-to-school headlines in the US; “Over it” but unable to escape it: Going back to school with Covid in 2022; Going back to school in 2022 (Part 3): Scanning headlines from around the world; for fall 2021 see Going back to school has never been quite like this (Part 1): Pandemic effects in the US; Going back to school has never been quite like this (Part 2): Quarantines, shortages, wildfires & hurricanes; for fall 2020 see What does it look like to go back to school? It’s different all around the world…; for 2019 see Headlines around the world: Back to school 2019 edition.

If it’s not one crisis it’s another. That sentiment seems to sum up many of the 2023 back-to-school headlines. Around the world, those crises included the:

• Impact of warfare and conflict in Ukraine and Ethiopia ( Ukrainian children brave bombs to return to school;  Kharkiv’s subways are now classrooms as school starts under Russian attacks; In Ethiopia strife in Amrha region threatens to disrupt academic year, University World News)
• Challenges of continuing teacher shortages in places like the Netherlands, Canada and elsewhere (“One in nine children will not have a teacher after the holiday; Principals in Ontario face daily staffing challenges)
• Closures and fallout from England’s failure to deal with the crumbling concrete used in some school buildings (School is back in session … so long as your classroom hasn’t collapsed, The Guardian; ‘An absolute nightmare’: teachers and parents shocked by concrete closures in England’s schools, The Guardian)

In the US, along with the threats from heat and natural disasters, reporters chronicled start of the year challenges for students, teachers, and schools like continuing concerns about COVID-19; lack of funding and supplies; the need to support the many immigrant students who arrived in in cities like New York this year; shortages of teachers, bus drivers, and other personnel;

Under these circumstances, perhaps it’s no surprise that one Washington Post headline declares “In some schools, dread over the new year: ‘We’re scared to teach’.  At the same time, some articles try to set a happier tone even as they chronicle the challenges: “For many students,” Chalkbeat NYC reported, “Thursday marked a joyous return to school. But a possible bus strike and air conditioning issues dimmed some of the good vibes (“First day of school for NYC’s nearly 900,000 kids: Smiles, sweat, and bus strike concerns.”)

COVID-19 & Health Concerns

A new school year, a new COVID-19 variant. What are schools to do?, Education Week

Cleaner air could keep schools open, The New York Times

Some US schools return to face mask requirements, The Washington Post

“Cases of COVID-19 have risen in some areas of the US, and some schools have reinstated face mask mandates, rekindling debate about whether the requirement is necessary or an impingement on personal freedoms. COVID-19 hospitalizations are well below what they were a year ago, but some experts have expressed concern about the fall season as most Americans have not yet gotten the latest updated booster vaccines that are due out soon.”

As children return to school, parents fret over shortage of ADHD meds, KFF Health News

Colorado launches free school lunch, mental health support, CBS Colorado

“The Cherry Creek School District in Colorado is welcoming students back with the launch of “Healthy School Meals for All,” a free school lunch program funded by Prop FF, aiming to support learning. Superintendent Christopher Smith also highlights partnerships with Hazel Health, offering free virtual mental health sessions, and the upcoming opening of Traverse Academy, a unique facility for students dealing with serious mental health challenges.”

Concerns about costs and funding

Enrollment, funding, supply chain issues throw wrench into school construction projects, K-12 Dive

Schools’ insurance costs are soaring—and climate change isn’t the only reason, Education Week

“Districts are seeing higher premiums thanks to a surge in natural disasters and other challenges.”

Cost of school supplies is at an all-time high, NPR

As back-to-school costs soar, more parents & teachers turn to charities for help, The 74

Most teachers spend their own money on school supplies. Should they?, Education Week

School supply funding varies widely across US, Education Week

‘Food is the biggest expense’: Mass. families welcome permanent free school meals for students, WBUR

School lunch prices rise amid challenges, USA Today

“As the new school year approaches, schools nationwide face the challenge of increasing lunch and breakfast costs due to inflation, the end of federal subsidies and potential new regulations — causing the School Nutrition Association to urge federal action. “School meal programs need permanent reimbursement-rate increases to cope with long-term, higher labor costs — especially as many schools still struggle with labor shortages and need to raise wages to fully staff their kitchens,” said Diane Pratt-Heavner, SNA’s director of media relations.”

More students eating for free as growing number of states offer universal school meals, Chalkbeat

Shortages

From ‘crisis’ to ‘catastrophe,’ schools scramble once again to find teachers, NBC News

To fight teacher shortages, schools turn to custodians, bus drivers and aides, Hechinger Report

West Virginia schools facing staffing problems amid new teaching assistant law, The 74

Districts aim to address teacher housing crisis, Axios

“School districts in the US are turning to homebuilding to address the chronic teacher shortage and housing affordability challenges. The move aims to improve teachers’ quality of life and educational outcomes, as many educators struggle to afford living near their schools, potentially leading to increased burnout and reduced time spent with students.”

The shortage in school bus drivers is getting worse, The New York Times

Wake County school bus driver shortage affecting 2,000 students, ABC 11

Severe bus driver shortage in Baton Rouge leads to an emergency school board meeting, WAFB

A district’s bus ‘disaster’ highlights a nationwide driver shortage, Education Week

GOP lawmakers call for special session after school bus debacle, canceled classes, The 74

“After a disastrous first week of school, when some buses didn’t get students home until 10 p.m. and classes were subsequently canceled for two days, Jefferson County Republican lawmakers want to call a special legislative session to enact changes — including a school choice amendment and the possible splitting up of the district. In our latest partnership with the Kentucky Lantern, McKenna Horsley reports that 12 lawmakers signed an open letter last week, saying the district failed to “keep our kids safe” and that structural changes are needed.” 

Why is there a shortage of school bus drivers? Problem worsened by COVID reaches crisis level, USA Today