The release of distance learning options for families late Wednesday by the Hawaii State Department of Education “is a positive step, but from what we see, teachers are still going to be expected to teach simultaneously online and in-person which the Board of Education last week agreed should not happen,” Hawaii State Teachers Association President Osa Tui, Jr. said.

Developing and carrying out effective instruction for both in-person and online students at the same time is extremely challenging and doesn’t fully provide for students’ needs.

“We hope that the department will ensure that schools intending to offer synchronous instruction develop alternative solutions that will best support all keiki and align with what the BOE promised parents, students, and educators on Thursday,'” Tui added.