Could be a short summer for students

There has been much debate about whether students should learn in-person or virtually during the pandemic. Most schools pressed pause on having students in the classroom at the height of the pandemic, but many are now returning to in-person instruction, at least part-time. But there may be other options, and Governor Tony Evers seems to be endorsing them. Most Wisconsin schools start class after September first, and finish by early June. Evers is suggesting that schools start sooner, and adopt more summer instruction, as a way to combat the brain drain that has resulted from kids being away from the classroom. The most recent test scores in the state show clearly that kids aren’t learning as much from home as they do in front of a teacher. That is not to say that schools were wrong to close their doors. It’s just an unfortunate byproduct of the pandemic. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do more to help our kids catch up. Starting school earlier makes sense (Sorry kids) if virus numbers allow. First, Wisconsin would have to do away with or waive the current state law that says school districts can’t start before September first without getting a waiver from the state. Our schools have an obligation to help students learn, and getting them back in the classroom sooner would be an effective way to do that.