With the beginning of the school year just a few weeks away, Florida governor Ron DeSantis said he wants parents to have a "meaningful choice" about their child's upcoming school year.
In a press conference in Tallahassee on Wednesday, DeSantis once again said that he believes children should be back in classrooms, but agreed that students and staff shouldn't be pressured to return.
"Our kids are at the least risk from this virus and much lower risk than they are from seasonal influenza. Our kids also play the smallest role in transmission of the virus," DeSantis said.
The governor explained that relying on virtual learning could lead to more bad than good, such as widening achievement gaps between demographic groups, increased drop-out rates, and lead to further social isolation, depression and anxiety.
Broward county announced that their school year will begin online for students in a school board workshop on Wednesday. Superintendent Robert Runcie said that this is their only choice for now until COVID-19 case numbers begin to lower. Parents will have the option to choose evening classes for their children in an attempt to help them balance work and childcare.
Students with disabilities, students who use English as a second language, some pre-kindergarten and technical and career students will have in-person teaching available to them.
Miami-Dade county has yet to release an official plan, but superintendent Alberto Carvalho said that the start of the school year might be delayed. Right now it is set for August 24.
