A school sitcom, now? ‘Abbott Elementary’ makes its case.

Debuting a comedy about a school right now could be fraught. But “Abbott Elementary” has caught the attention of viewers and educators who are drawn to the messages at the sitcom’s heart.

“Abbott Elementary” is about halfway through its first season, and the comedy is earning praise from both viewers and teachers. That’s saying something, given that there isn’t much to laugh about in education at present. But what makes the series, airing on ABC, appealing is that it often includes what we’d like to see more of in discussions...