Joe Biden has toned down his campaign promise to reopen most schools in the country just eight days after taking office, a new book says in a bid to placate powerful teachers’ union leader Randi Weingarten.
Biden laid out a plan on the campaign trail in July 2020 to get students back into classrooms.
After the December 8, 2020 election, he reaffirmed his intention to reopen most schools within the first 100 days of his presidency.
“Getting our children back to school and keeping them in school should be a national priority,” Biden said.
“If Congress provides the funding, we must protect students, educators and staff.”
“As states and cities implement strict public health measures, which we all follow, my team will work to 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 attitude changed, writes author Franklin Foer in a new book about Biden’s first two terms, The Last Politician.
The move has been condemned as devastating for children’s education – especially for those who were already disadvantaged and less likely to be supported by online learning.
School closures and mask-wearing due to COVID-19 are also blamed for serious problems with children’s mental development and mental health.
Joe Biden is seen with Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers – which donates millions to democratic causes
Weingarten watches Biden speak at an AFT event in 2019. The two have been friends for decades
Children wearing face masks are seen in classrooms in California in January 2022
Weingarten was a major Democratic fundraiser through her union, and the new president needed to keep her on his side.
In excerpts from his book, analyzed by the New York Post, Foer called the weakening of campaign promises “the price of peace.”
Foer’s book will be out on Tuesday
Foer writes that on Jan. 28, 2021, Biden called Weingarten — who had initially welcomed his campaign plan to reopen schools, but now called for the pace to be slowed.
Biden, writes Foer, told Weingarten that “he knew she had to endure a lot of excitement related to the reopening of schools.”
Teachers were concerned about the resumption of face-to-face classes, and Biden told Weingarten he heard their concerns and that “he is a loyal friend.”
He told her, “I won’t leave you alone at school.” I want you to know.’
The week before, on Jan. 21 — Biden’s first full day in office — his wife, Jill, herself a teacher, invited Weingarten and Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, to the White House.
Jill Biden told the couple that Weingarten was “the type of general who is never far from the front lines.”
Jill Biden can be 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 can be seen at school, whose desks maintain safe distances
Biden promised during the campaign to reopen most schools, but that promise was quickly abandoned
The first lady added, according to Foer, “I said I would take you to the White House. ‘And you’re here on the first day.’
On February 9, the White House subtly adjusted school reopening guidance to tone down a promise to reopen “the majority of our schools” within Biden’s first 100 days.
Under the new plan, only schools through Grade 8 would reopen – and they would be considered “open” if they had students in their classrooms one day a week.
“The goal he has set is to have the majority of schools open – more than 50 percent – by the 100th day of his presidency,” said Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary.
“And that means some teaching in classrooms.”
“So at least one day a week.” Hopefully it’s more.
“And of course it is as much as is safe in each school and each local district.”
Subsequent text messages and emails between Weingarten and Biden administration officials showed that Weingarten was concerned about reopening schools too quickly.
Weingarten’s group is a major force in Democratic politics. She is seen in Boston in March 2017
On February 12, 2021, the government issued guidance on reopening schools.
In a draft obtained by The New York Times, the guidelines state: “All schools can offer in-person instruction.”
Weingarten objected, Foer writes, and the wording was changed to “All schools have the option to offer face-to-face instruction.”
Weingarten’s AFT union donated more than $2.6 million to Democratic candidates in the 2020 election cycle, according to political donation tracking website OpenSecrets.
Pringle’s group, the NEA, donated more than $2.4 million.
Biden himself received more than $245,000 from teachers unions during the campaign, more than four times the amount taken in by the next closest candidate, Bernie Sanders.