All across the country, school districts, colleges, and universities are closing and moving to online instruction due to the coronavirus. That is leading some parents to worry that their kids’ K-12 school could be next. How do we prepare for something that may or may not happen?
As of March 16, more than 69,000 K-12 schools have or are closing, affecting more than 35.9 million US students in 35 states and the District of Columbia, according to Education Week. China, Italy, Japan, and Ireland have closed all schools because of COVID-19 and it’s not clear when they’ll reopen.
How to prepare for a possible school closure
Alternative learning
Many school districts are trying to figure out how education will continue for kids that are forced to stay home. There is no plan for at-home instruction in Ohio schools. In Los Angeles, the district is working with local public television stations to provide educational programming if schools close.
“We have plans for continued learning which students will take home with them today and additional support will be provided to assist this transition to a different way of learning and teaching,” Melvoin said in a statement.
Lewis said she is not sure how it will play out.
“I hope they are working on some online learning, so we don't have to extend the school year,” she said.
