Pittsburgh Schools Shift to Remote Learning Due to NFL Draft Crowds
The NFL draft has become a major event, drawing crowds of hundreds of thousands to host cities. This week, as the draft takes place in Pittsburgh, the city anticipates a significant influx of visitors, prompting local schools to make adjustments.
The Pittsburgh Public Schools district has decided to move to remote learning for the remainder of the week, a decision that has sparked debate among parents and students. While some are critical of the move, 11th-grade student Kaya Lewis supports it, noting, “I personally like it, especially because we go to school downtown, so it’s just gonna be really hectic trying to get here and trying to get home.”
Lewis attends the Creative and Performing Arts middle and high school, located in the city’s bustling Cultural District. With heavy traffic expected due to the draft, the decision to go remote relieves potential logistical challenges for students who commute daily.
Despite the convenience, remote learning presents its own challenges. Lewis mentions, “Like I have physics, so that can be hard to try and learn online. But especially with the AP tests coming up, it’ll be easier for us to study at home and just get as much time as we need to study.”
The draft is projected to attract between 500,000 and 700,000 visitors, nearly doubling the city’s population. The massive attendance is expected to overwhelm public transit systems that students rely on, leading to some route cancellations and road closures.
District spokesperson Ebony Pugh explains the decision aims for equity among students. Instead of some receiving in-person instruction, all students will complete assignments independently online. “Hopefully, when people see the actual impact — when we are here and we have the influx of people — there’ll be some understanding to it,” Pugh said.
While the move to asynchronous learning may alleviate some logistical issues, it also revives concerns about the effectiveness of remote education. Many Pittsburgh families still remember the challenges of pandemic-era online learning, though short disruptions like this are not expected to significantly impact student outcomes, according to research.
Parent Sonja Smith, who lives near her daughter’s school, voices concerns about equity. “I feel like something like this really puts that into play … who matters and who doesn’t,” she comments, suggesting that the desire for business from the draft should not overshadow educational needs.
Smith, however, appreciates the choice for asynchronous learning, avoiding the pitfalls of synchronous online classes. She notes, “I feel like when it’s synchronous, so much of the day is just, ‘My mute doesn’t work. My message doesn’t work.'” For her fifth-grader, this decision alleviates unnecessary time spent on technical issues.
To support students during this period, city recreation centers will open to provide spaces for online learning and activities related to the draft. More information can be found here.
