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Bailey says Pritzker owes an apology to students and parents for virtual learning during pandemic

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Illinois

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) said keeping kids in school is the first step of his education agenda in his battle against Gov. JB Pritzker. Bailey said Pritzker’s COVID-19 lockdowns “decimated” education in Illinois. Bailey challenged the governor over his COVID executive orders and the closing of schools during the worst period of the pandemic.

Now, Bailey said Illinois children suffered without in-person learning, and he will keep them in school if elected governor this fall. The Republican gubernatorial nominee also said Pritzker should apologize to students and parents for moving schools to virtual learning early into the pandemic.

Bailey argues that Illinois should provide scholarships to students in school districts that require remote or virtual learning. His campaign said Monday night that the change could allow children to have other learning options regardless of their economic status.

Data from the Illinois State Board of Education show students struggled with their English and math courses throughout the 2021 school year and younger students saw significant drops in proficiency.

“While Pritzker can more than afford to hire private tutors or pay for private schooling, many hardworking Illinois families don’t have that option,” Bailey said. “When their children fall behind, they have nowhere to turn which is shameful.”

* Pritzker campaign…

“Darren Bailey’s so-called ‘education agenda’ is yet another desperate attempt to cover up the fact that he has no coherent policies or plans. His only real agenda is regurgitating the far-right, ultra-MAGA talking points he gets from Donald Trump,” said JB for Governor Press Secretary Eliza Glezer. “From his comments downplaying the severity of COVID-19 during the height of the pandemic, to his votes against increased funding for education across the state, Bailey has proven time and time again that he doesn’t have Illinois students’ backs. Our kids, parents, and educators deserve better.”

* IEA President Kathi Griffin…

We have yet to see any plan from Sen. Bailey on how he plans to enhance public education and enrich our students’ lives. What we have seen is Gov. Pritzker in action. He has always put our students’ and communties’ health and safety above all else. During the height of the pandemic, he made difficult decisions to keep us all safe. When the pandemic started there were no vaccines, no medication, no testing and our hospitals were being pushed to their limits. When testing, vaccines and treatments became available and hospitals began to recover, the policies changed. Then, individual school districts were able to decide when to open. We are thankful the governor looked out for the health of our students, their families and those who work in our schools.

We are looking forward to this new school year and all the possibilities it brings for both our members and our students. We believe every student has the right to a high-quality public education, and we are glad Gov. Pritzker shares that vision.

The IFT chose not to comment.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 11:40 am

Comments

“he has no coherent policies or plans”

As far as I can tell, Darren Bailey doesn’t even have any incoherent policies or plans.

Outraged bluster alone has carried him a long way, but he needs to learn a second trick real quick.

– MrJM

Comment by MisterJayEm Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 11:49 am
Apologize for trying to save lives?

Comment by Big Dipper Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 11:50 am
Is this another thing where Bailey is appealing to those where polling shows he’s in the losing side.

Wasn’t Pritzker above water on handling of the pandemic?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 11:51 am
There is a dark corner of the internet that not only fervently believes every COVID conspiracy, but also fully believes all those conspiracies have been vindicated. This is very much what they sound like.

In reality, shutting down the schools and shifting to remote learning was absolutely the right call. The numbers speak for themselves. The states with more restrictions had lower case rates and lower death rates.

Remote learning was harmful, but death is much moreso.

Comment by SWIL_Voter Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 11:52 am
The only conclusion I can come up with about this strategy is that the Bailey camp believes that Amy J and her friends represent the values of most urban/suburban women. Good luck with that.

Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 11:53 am
==should apologize to students and parents for moving schools to virtual learning early into the pandemic==

I hated virtual learning for my kids as much as anyone else but anyone who was responsible would have done the same thing. Add this to the list of reasons Bailey is unfit to be Governor.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 11:54 am
===Wasn’t Pritzker above water on handling of the pandemic?===

The Illinoize polled on this last November:

61% of voters polled responded they approved of the state’s response to COVID-19. 37% disapproved, while 2% remain undecided. Even in central and southern Illinois, where much of the backlash to mask mandates and business closures has been centered, greater than 50% of voters polled in each area of the state approve of the state’s handling of the pandemic. (https://www.theillinoize.com/articles/new-poll-illinoize-shows-pritzker)

So Bailey is once again running on a message that holds him under 40%. It’s fascinating in a dadaist kind of way.

Comment by vern Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 12:01 pm
I don’t even know how to respond to this post. Tens of thousands of Illinoisians died. How many more if we did nothing? He’s just mean.

Comment by Baloneymous Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 12:03 pm
Bailey’s education plan is clear: he wants it modeled after his family’s own Christian academy.

Comment by Ryan Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 12:04 pm
==Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) said keeping kids in school is the first step of his education agenda in his battle against Gov. JB Pritzker.==

So the first step of his plan is something JB did, like, a year ago?

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 12:06 pm
So he’s using it to back door vouchers.

Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 12:16 pm
Because of virtual learning, students had access to tutors for review of transfer essays from community college to four year universities. Discussing prompts and sharing ideas with students facilitated that process.

We could see students on camera and use screen share to view documents and essays. Since many students work part-time, raise families, and attend school, virtual learning allows them to attend class, receive tutoring for essays, and have meaningful connections with tutors. Students could reconnect for additional assistance. A positive experience.

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 12:16 pm
Not denying that virtual learning certainly had its shortcomings. It was as difficult for teachers to adjust their lessons to the format as it was for many students to learn without live interaction with a teacher.

Many schools have been working to help students recoup the time lost with tutors and special programs even during the summer. There were funds available to hire staff and train volunteers to work one-on-one.

Illinois State is leading a statewide initiative to close the learning gap,

https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2022/08/closing-the-gap-isu-led-tutoring-program-aims-to-help-students-impacted-by-covid-learning-disruptions/?utm_source=Relay&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=COEAugust22

Comment by Nearly Normal Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 12:19 pm
Should JB release a hollow “statement” like DB did about his anti-Semitic comments? Just wondering.

Comment by Hello Friend Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 12:24 pm
Bailey’s plan for education was announced yesterday. He said, “I have enlisted the support of the Punisher, and the God of War, to manage our schools.”

Comment by H-W Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 12:25 pm
Guy with his own religious school wants vouchers. Checks out.

This crowd that accuses JB of running a dictatorship by renewing emergency orders related to COVID fail to recognize that just this week another governor did the same thing. That Governor is Greg Abbott of Texas.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 12:25 pm
Over a million people died from COVID over the last few years. Hundreds of thousands died needlessly because of the politization, and falsehoods told by MAGA world.

I had one MAGA relative die from COVID and another recently barely survived. Instead of understanding the need for a small sacrifice on behalf of the community’s health, Bailey sought to be the champion for the selfish who didn’t want to be inconvenienced.

He is the one who should be apologizing and praying God for forgiveness, not Pritzker.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 12:27 pm
Pritzker should also apologize for the existence of covid, as well as that sub-par ham and cheese sandwich that I bought the other day.

Comment by Jibba Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 12:39 pm
Bailey should apologize for insulting people’s intelligence on a regular basis. If vern’s posting at 12:01 is right about Central and Southern IL, Bailey won’t be governor.

Comment by thisjustinagain Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 1:03 pm
If I were J.B. I would apologize to Illinois citizens who were forced to face a deadly pandemic because the U.S. President didn’t care about people’s lives and ignored the problem for three months.

Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 1:06 pm
Isn’t Bailey a “Pro-Life” Christian?

Comment by Jerry Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 1:09 pm
Michael Lewis (Moneyball, The Big Short) wrote a book about COVID. “The Premonition” documents late Bush Jr. era efforts to prepare for a pandemic (& documents Trump’s failure). First thing the experts figured out? The quickest, most effective way to stop a pandemic from spreading? Close the schools.

Is Bailey a Flat Earther? Creation Science believer?

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 1:16 pm
So Beetle Baily preferred more deaths at the height of the pandemic ? And can’t find anything else to whine about today ?

Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 1:24 pm
If his school plan is announced I think it will harken back to his days at North Clay. It will probably involve him serving Mountain Dew to the students. That will keep them awake and alert so they can get caught back up with their schoolwork.

Comment by MoralMinority Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 2:11 pm
You gotta love DB and the rest of the True Believers - always putting children first, right square on the front lines of a deadly pandemic. With over a million dead, many of them front line “essential” workers who had to choose between a paycheck and infecting their families let’s hustle our kids out in front. Start pulling up those boot straps, kiddos. No place for slackers in Baily’s brave new economy.

Comment by froganon Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 2:18 pm
You can make a case that we could have done more to reopen schools sooner–spent state money on improved filters on HVAC units, provided free N95 masks to kids and teachers, prioritized opening schols over opening restaurants, etc. But it seems clear to me that the Pritzker adminsitration, working with imperfect knowledge of the virus and trying to avoid mass death, did reasonably well.

Comment by Benjamin Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 3:11 pm
==The IFT chose not to comment.==

Why might that be?

Comment by StateEmployeeThatIsNotInAFSCME Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 4:08 pm
===Why might that be?===

Considering how teachers are already vilified and/or undervalued by many, why choose sides here?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 4:10 pm
Virtue House Ministries, which is the nonprofit that covers Darren’s Christian school received a PPP loan of $54,200.

https://www.federalpay.org/paycheck-protection-program

It makes sense he would continue to carefully couch his language towards government funding of private religious schools.

Comment by Nick Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 5:10 pm
Sen. Bailey needs to apologize to God for using his faith for his own personal and political gain.

Comment by Fivegreenleaves Wednesday, Aug 24, 22 @ 6:09 pm
He will flip and say it was bad. Hochul just did https://twitter.com/theeliklein/status/1563192150522986496?s=21&t=YVQ5Xn332JtI8rv94WuADA

Comment by Dupage mom Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 10:58 am
=== He will flip and say it was bad.===

Why?

Polling in Illinois says Pritzker’s own handling of the pandemic is above water.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 26, 22 @ 11:02 am