How States and Students are Faring with Back to School

The U.S. K-12 education system is under the microscope, as schools begin classes and sort out how to pursue learning in the midst of COVID-19 coronavirus restrictions. Some schools will start the year completely virtual — others will alternate between in-person and at-home learning. Certain states have already elected to enact quarantines and re-close some schools early on in the experiment. Other states and state leaders are working to quell concerns and strive toward normalcy in classrooms while keeping schools open. Some coverage focused on how families will balance work with at-home learning; some voices explored potential alternatives to public schools, arguing that teaching effectiveness will decrease and that low-income families will be especially affected by school instability this fall. Others concentrated on how to keep kids focused when learning from home.