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Fewer Than Half of Nebraska Educators Believe Schools Can Safely Reopen

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Fewer Than Half of Nebraska Educators Believe Schools Can Safely Reopen
Rear view of elementary age boy waiting to get on school bus. His classmates are loading the bus in the background.

LINCOLN- A statewide survey of more than 3,000 state educators shows fewer than half believe their school will be able to safely re-open for in-person teaching and learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Nebraska State Education Association conducted the “Return to Learn” survey of members July 24–29. Statewide, just 48 percent of teachers believe their school will be able to open safely this month. Statewide, 45 percent of survey respondents said that based on current trends and what they know of their school district’s plan, they are not ready to return to work in-person. More than 80 percent of all respondents cited concern for personal safety and concern for student safety as the top two reasons they do not feel ready to return to in-person teaching and learning.

A separate survey of currently retired educators showed that only 33 percent of those who substitute taught last year were willing to teach again this year.