As some Minnesota elementary schools re-opened this week, the E-12 Education Committee heard from school administrators, school board members, and one outside group about some ideas for helping schools move forward. No teachers were represented at the meeting this week. Teachers were given priority to receive the virus vaccine this week by the Minnesota Department of Health. However, because of the lack of national response, the state’s available vaccines are outpaced by those who need it.
Most Minnesota schools have been holding classes either virtually or in a hybrid in-person/virtual model as virus cases surged across the state. Elementary schools were allowed to re-open under the state’s Safe Learning Plan this week.
Presenters at the meeting told how year-round school models can help students catch up with learning, that a distance learning academy that combines on-line classes for some students can provide more options, especially for secondary students and that tutoring programs are more important now to get students up to speed during the pandemic.
No bills were discussed at the meeting and no legislation was proposed by those who testified.
