Should Schools Continue to Offer Remote Learning?

It was announced recently that the largest school district in the United States, New York City, will not offer remote learning due to COVID when school starts up again in the fall. It may not be too far-fetched to think that a considerable number of other school districts will follow their lead.

But should they?

By announcing their decision even before this school year has officially ended, they are taking the lead in proclaiming we are getting back to normal (or as normal as it can be). 

Still, as we enter more into a high-tech age, should we be giving students and their families the option of remote learning regardless of if we are mentioning COVID in the same sentence or not?

School Districts Without Borders For Only Remote Learners
As the country continues to rebuild itself from COVID and the various other political issues that seem to be dividing us, perhaps we can finally offer school districts without borders to students. 

There has been plenty of discussion over the years about certain school districts not preparing their students for college life as well as they could. By offering remote learning, this could finally be settled for good. 

However, having it indeed be without borders could overload many of the most promising school districts, so limiting it to a specific mile range could remedy this problem. Perhaps offering remote learning to take their classes in any school in the county could be a solution.

Why Do Away With It Completely?
If there is one thing that we all know is that students and parents love to have options. They love to have options on the classes they take, the sports they sign up for when they can have lunch every day, and quite a few other things that have a little flexibility here and there in schools. 

Of course, there have been plenty of people speaking out saying they were struggling with remote learning. Nevertheless, this was not the case for all. It is just one of those “the squeaky wheel gets the oil” (or the press) situations. 

Moreover, while it would mean a little extra work for the educators if remote learning was continued as an option, on the other hand, the number of actual physical students inside their classroom could be cut in half. There is a good side and a wrong side that goes with it. After a while, though, it would be the new normal. Plus, if spacing students away from each other in the classroom is still a priority due to COVID (like many government officials are saying), why not continue with remote learning?

There Are Other Options
Federal data shows that, on average, about three percent of the student population is now homeschooling every year. Once COVID hit, the numbers went to 10 to 20 percent of the student population is now homeschooling. (Government officials who add up the numbers say it is impossible to know for sure how many are currently homeschooled, and that is why there is such a wide range of 10 to 20 percent for this school year.)

Still, homeschooling is a viable option if schools are not offering remote learning in the fall. Illinois has no guidelines for homeschooling either, so any parent can undertake the process of educating their child at home and issuing grades however they see fit. 

In addition, if interested, after a quick online search, you can discover there are numerous online schools for elementary through high school available. It may not be your local school or the school district you want your child to learn in, but it just goes to show there are options. 

iAchieve Can Definitely Be of Assistance
Regardless of whether students are attending in person, taking classes through remote learning, being homeschooled, or choosing to go with a complete online school in the upcoming fall, iAchieve can help students of all ages. 

First off, we offer academic coaching to assist students in being more organized, setting goals, and dealing appropriately with stress. We also provide in-person or online tutoring for all ages and every subject matter. Next, we offer a free presentation to parents and students on succeeding through high school and beyond. 

This is just a mere fraction of how we can assist students and their families. Be sure to continually review our website to determine how we may help you!

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