The idea of having kids repeat a school year to get them back on rails after this crisis is a confusing one. This event will create clear winners and losers across the digital divide line. Some parents will have the luxury of being able to turn this adversity into opportunity for their kids.
Two income households where both parents are able to work from home and be available for kids will come out ahead - to the point that the kids can even skip a grade or two. On the other hand there are those whose kids will be lucky if they can count on meals being available when they are hungry. The parents cannot realistically do much more as they struggle to keep the lights on.
So clearly there is not a one size fits all. It seems like the more equitable solution would be to redouble the effort in school to shore up the kids who fell behind. Schools can start to create a volunteer network of educators who are willing to do this work because the teachers cannot be over-extended. And some that work can start already while kids are homebound - atleast for the ones who have internet access at home and can do lessons remotely with a volunteer educator.
Two income households where both parents are able to work from home and be available for kids will come out ahead - to the point that the kids can even skip a grade or two. On the other hand there are those whose kids will be lucky if they can count on meals being available when they are hungry. The parents cannot realistically do much more as they struggle to keep the lights on.
So clearly there is not a one size fits all. It seems like the more equitable solution would be to redouble the effort in school to shore up the kids who fell behind. Schools can start to create a volunteer network of educators who are willing to do this work because the teachers cannot be over-extended. And some that work can start already while kids are homebound - atleast for the ones who have internet access at home and can do lessons remotely with a volunteer educator.
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