Joe Biden softened his campaign promise to reopen most of the nation’s schools just eight days after taking office, a new book claims, in an effort to appease the powerful head of a teachers union, Randi Weingarten.
Biden laid out a plan during the campaign in July 2020 to bring students back to classrooms.
After the election, on December 8, 2020, he reiterated his intention to reopen most schools within the first 100 days of his presidency.
“It should be a national priority to get our kids back to school and keep them in school,” Biden said.
“If Congress provides the funding, we must protect students, faculty and staff.
“If states and cities implement strong public health measures that we all follow, my team will ensure that the majority of our schools can be open by the end of my first 100 days.”
But almost immediately after taking office, his position changed, author Franklin Foer writes in a new book about Biden’s first two terms, The Last Politician.
The move has been condemned as devastating to children’s education, especially those who are already disadvantaged and less likely to receive support for online learning.
COVID school closures and mask-wearing are also blamed for serious problems with children’s psychological development and mental health.
Joe Biden is seen with Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers – who contributes millions to Democratic causes
Weingarten watches as Biden addresses a 2019 AFT event. The pair have been friends for decades
In January 2022, we see children wearing face masks in the classroom in California
Weingarten was a key fundraiser for Democrats through her union, and the new president had to keep her aside.
Foer, analyzed in fragments of his book by The New York Post, called the dilution of the campaign promise “the price of peace.”
Foer’s book will be published on Tuesday
Foer writes that on January 28, 2021, Biden called Weingarten — who initially welcomed his campaign plan to reopen schools but now called for a check on the pace.
Biden, Foer writes, told Weingarten that “he knew she was concerned about reopening the schools.”
Teachers were concerned about resuming in-person classes, and Biden told Weingarten that he had heard their fears and that “he was an enduring friend.”
He told her, “I won’t let you down in schools. I want you to know that.’
The week before, on January 21 – Biden’s first full day as president – his wife Jill, herself a teacher, had invited Weingarten and Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, to the White House.
Jill Biden told the pair that Weingarten was the “type of general who is never far from the front lines.”
Jill Biden is seen with Randi Weingarten in December 2022. She welcomed Weingarten to the White House on her husband’s first day in office
In January 2021, a child wearing a face mask is seen going to school, with socially distanced desks
Biden promised to reopen most schools during the campaign, but that promise quickly eroded
The first lady added, according to Foer, “I said I would take you to the White House. And on the first day you’re here.’
On Feb. 9, the White House subtly adjusted school reopening guidelines to weaken the pledge to reopen “the majority of our schools” within Biden’s first 100 days.
Under the new plan, only schools up to grade 8 would reopen — and they would be considered “open” if they had students in their classrooms one day a week.
“His goal that he set is to have the majority of schools — more than 50 percent — open by Day 100 of his presidency,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki.
‘And that means teaching in classrooms.
‘So at least one day a week. Hopefully it’s more.
“And obviously it’s as much as is safe in each school and in the local district.”
Subsequent text messages and emails between Weingarten and Biden administration officials revealed Weingarten’s concerns about reopening schools too quickly.
Weingarten’s group is a major force in Democratic politics. She will be seen in Boston in March 2017
On February 12, 2021, the government issued guidelines for the reopening of schools.
In a draft copy obtained by The New York Times, the guidance stated that “all schools can provide in-person instruction.”
Weingarten objected, Foer writes, and the language was changed to “all schools have the option to provide in-person instruction.”
Weingarten’s union, the AFT, gave more than $2.6 million to Democratic candidates during the 2020 election cycle, according to political donation tracking website OpenSecrets.
Pringle’s group, the NEA, gave more than $2.4 million.
Biden himself received more than $245,000 from the teachers unions during the campaign, more than four times the amount raised by the next candidate, Bernie Sanders.