Online school put US kids behind. Some adults have regrets.
As the harmful effects of extended pandemic school closures become more apparent, some educators and parents have regrets
By BIANCA VÁZQUEZ TONESS and JOCELYN GECKER
Published - Oct 21, 2022, 12:56 AM ET
Last Updated - Jun 24, 2023, 02:00 AM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — Vivian Kargbo thought her daughter’s Boston school district was doing the right thing when officials kept classrooms closed for most students for more than a year.
Kargbo, a caregiver for hospice patients, didn't want to risk them getting COVID-19. And extending pandemic school closures through the spring of 2021 is what many in her community said was best to keep kids and adults safe.
But her daughter became depressed and stopped doing school work or paying attention to online classes. The former honor-roll student failed nearly all of her eighth grade courses.
“She’s behind,” said Kargbo, whose daughter is now in tenth grade. “It didn’t work at all. Knowing what I know now, I would say they should have put them in school.”
