Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 2, 2020 Contact: Christina Mazzanti 703-717-5333 christina@aaeteachers.org

Association of American Educators Foundation Releases Survey Results on Virtual Instruction Preparedness and Educator Concerns During Nationwide School Closures

Alexandria, VA – The Association of American Educators Foundation (AAEF), a 501(c)(3) organization supporting the mission of the Association of American Educators (AAE), a national professional association serving educators in all fifty states, has released the results of the COVID-19 Educator Survey. This national survey of AAE members includes classroom educators, administrators, support specialists, and school staff in all educational settings with 94 percent of respondents serving in public district and public charter schools.

“As our members cope with the unprecedented circumstances of maintaining learning and serving their students in this time of transition and uncertainty, we felt it was vital to hear their concerns and to include the educator voice in the national dialogue to inform the decision- making process in the weeks and months to come,” noted AAE Executive Director Colin Sharkey. “This survey also reflects our commitment to provide educator-informed resources and services to all of our nation’s educators.”

The COVID-19 Educator Survey addressed five key areas of concern for preparedness and equity as educators face the transition to distance teaching during school closures in response to the Coronavirus pandemic including: school closure decisions (timing, length), whether sufficient plans were in place to support students with special needs, educators’ own level of preparation to deliver virtual instruction, the level of preparation of broader education communities for school closures, and teachers' primary concern for their students as a result of school closures.

• In response to decisions regarding local schools closures, 84 percent of survey respondents agreed with the decision to close their school, including 25 percent who want their school closed longer. (Note: while the survey was conducted, the amount and length of school closures increased.)
• Responding to plans for students with special needs, 46 percent of respondents felt that there were not sufficient plans put in place to support students with special needs, while 20 percent felt plans were sufficient.
• On the issue of preparedness for the transition to distance or virtual learning, 75 percent felt their preparation to deliver virtual instruction was at least average, including 35 percent of respondents who felt they were above average.
• As for the education community as a whole, 42 percent of survey respondents felt that their broader educational communities were unprepared for school closures, while only 28 percent felt they were prepared.
• In response to what their primary concerns were regarding extended school closures, 52 percent of all respondents shared their primary concern was that students would struggle to learn in a virtual environment or would fall behind academically as a result of school closures.

An infographic of the survey’s key findings is available at aaeteachers.org/cvsurvey1. Additional educator resources, distance learning content, and educator legal rights FAQ are available on the AAE Coronavirus Response and Resources page. AAE has also released The BIG List of Resources for School Closures and “A Message to Parents and the Public from America’s Educators.”

The AAEF COVID-19 Educator Survey was conducted online from March 15 through March 30, 2020 and all AAE members were invited to participate in the survey.

The Association of American Educators (AAE) is the largest national, nonunion, professional educator organization, advancing the profession by offering a modern approach to educator empowerment and advocacy—promoting professionalism, collaboration, and excellence without a partisan agenda. AAE is committed to a teaching profession that is student oriented, well respected, and personally fulfilling. AAE serves members in all fifty states and welcomes professionals from all education entities. Membership is $16.50 per month and includes $2 million professional liability insurance, employment rights coverage, professional resources, and many other benefits. Classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, student teachers, university professors, and supporters can learn more at aaeteachers.org.

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