Governor Edwards is expected to issue a new proclamation that will keep school campuses closed for the remainder of the academic year which ends May 20. The order is expected to provide information to local school districts on how to proceed while educating students from a distance.
“We also hope that he will really provide strong direction for school districts to not let their foot off the accelerator and, in fact, upgrade their efforts to reach as many of these kids as possible,” said Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin.
Nearly 720,000 students have been out the classroom since the middle of March. Only 39 of the 69 school districts offer distance education.
Erwin says BESE and the Department of Education need to make sure the education experience continues even for districts that struggle with online learning.
“Even without the online situation, there are opportunities for teachers to begin or continue to reach out to students over the telephone, through sending things home to parents, continuing to have resources that go into the home,” said Erwin.
Erwin says if kids start out behind in the fall, which he believes many will, steps need to be taken to help them catch up or they may face life long consequences.
“It could include summer school to some appropriate degree, starting classes earlier, or even extending the school day a little bit during the school year as it starts up in the fall,” said Erwin.
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