New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says he’s accepted an offer by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to explore ways to continue to use technology in the state’s schools.

Getty Images/ Gilles Glod
Getty Images/ Gilles Glod
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Schools were forced into distance learning by the coronavirus pandemic and, Cuomo says, that opened a lot of eyes to the possibility of learning alternatives using technology.

Cuomo says there are several areas where lessons are being learned from the pandemic and one of them is remote learning.  He says when schools reopen it can be with a smarter education system.  The Democrat says why have traditional teachers standing in front of individual classrooms in hundreds of buildings, when you have technology? 

The Governor called Bill Gates a “visonary” who has spoken about education and technology for years and now is a moment in history where those ideas can be advanced.

New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) President Andy Pallotta quickly issued a statement saying remote learning will “never replace the important persona connection between teachers and their students that is built in a classroom.”

He suggested re-imagining education should address the need for social workers, mental health counselors, smaller class sizes and arts courses, among other things.

READ MORE: 50 resources to help you educate your kids at home

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