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US public school enrollment dips as virus disrupts education
The Associated Press ^ | December 22, 2020 | By KALYN BELSHA and GABRIELLE LaMARR LeMEE of Chalkbeat, and LEAH WILLINGHAM and LARRY FENN

Posted on 12/22/2020 3:47:12 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer

Fearful of sending her two children back to school as the coronavirus pandemic raged in Mississippi, Angela Atkins decided to give virtual learning a chance this fall.

Almost immediately, it was a struggle. Their district in Lafayette County didn’t offer live instruction to remote learners, and Atkins’ fourth grader became frustrated with doing worksheets all day and missed interacting with teachers and peers. Her seventh grader didn’t receive the extra support he did at school through his special education plan — and started getting failing grades.

After nine weeks, Atkins switched to home schooling.

By taking her children off the public school rolls, Atkins joined an exodus that one state schools chief has warned could become a national crisis. An analysis of data from 33 states obtained by Chalkbeat and The Associated Press shows that public K-12 enrollment this fall has dropped across those states by more than 500,000 students, or 2%, since the same time last year.

The data, which in many states is preliminary, offers the clearest picture yet of the pandemic’s devastating toll on public school enrollment — a decline that could eventually have dire consequences for school budgets that are based on headcounts.

So far, many states have held off on making school budget cuts in the face of enrollment declines. But if enrollment doesn’t rise, funding will be hit.

One open question is whether students who exited the public school system will return when instruction gets closer to normal. Many educators believe young learners who sat out kindergarten will return, but they’re worried about older students.

And many state superintendents and education advocates say there needs to be more done by school districts, state officials, and social service agencies to find the missing students.

(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: china; education; homeschooling; virus Comment #1 Removed by Moderator

To: Oldeconomybuyer

Why are those kids wearing masks at home?

Asking for a friend...


2 posted on 12/22/2020 3:54:50 AM PST by Fresh Wind ("This claim about election fraud is disputed.")
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

to find the missing students.

If the current system of intimidated racist learning crashes, that would be acceptable.

My mindless lemming “neighbors” continue to vote for every bond and every school board member who insults their intelligence with their incomprehensible drivel. “For the cheerens”

While on the one hand they deserve what they get, the rest of us pay by dealing with an increasingly stupid ignorant and vapid populace. Up to some 80 million at last count...


3 posted on 12/22/2020 3:56:50 AM PST by Adder ("Can you be more stupid?" is a question, not a challenge.)
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To: Adder

FWIW, it may not be your neighbors.

If you look at the turnout for most school board elections, it’s usually lousy.

You know who shows? Teachers, retired teachers, their family, friends, and other public employees.

People opposed usually stay home for God knows what reason.


4 posted on 12/22/2020 4:01:59 AM PST by mewzilla (Break out the mustard seeds. )
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

By taking her children off the public school rolls, Atkins joined an exodus that one state schools chief has warned could become a national crisis.


A national crisis but not for the reasons given. It is because the school districts receive funds based on butts in the seats, and nothing else.

This is the reason there are so many schools not educating children, their compensation is not based on results, only how many kids are in the school!


5 posted on 12/22/2020 4:19:40 AM PST by CIB-173RDABN (I am not an expert in anything, and my opinion is just that, an opinion. I may be wrong.)
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To: Fresh Wind

Why are those kids wearing masks at home?


I had the exact same thought. Do they wear the mask 24/7? No, I thought not. Perhaps it is just for the photo so that the MASK NAZI don’t invade her home and take her children.


6 posted on 12/22/2020 4:21:20 AM PST by CIB-173RDABN (I am not an expert in anything, and my opinion is just that, an opinion. I may be wrong.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Oh how will the social engineering pukes propagandize and brainwash your children if you keep them home and monitor what hey are learning


7 posted on 12/22/2020 4:38:40 AM PST by ronnie raygun ( Massive mistakes are made by arrogant fools; massive evils are committed by evil people.")
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

“ The data, which in many states is preliminary, offers the clearest picture yet of the pandemic’s devastating toll on public school enrollment — a decline that could eventually have dire consequences for school budgets that are based on headcounts.”

Note the relation of means to end here. The decline in enrollment is bad because it will lower budgets. The students exist for the sake of the money for the system.

More home schooling would not be a crisis but an educational improvement.


8 posted on 12/22/2020 4:42:53 AM PST by djpg
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Schools have been dumbing down the student populace since the days of Carter and indoctrinating the same in the ways of socialism and communism. Task is nearly complete, sadly!
9 posted on 12/22/2020 5:10:44 AM PST by Road Warrior ‘04 (BOYCOTT The NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR & Faux Snooze! Molon Labe! Oathkeeper!)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

The question we’re all asking and should be asking and demanding....

When will our school taxes go down with the lowered enrollment?

Oh wait......everyone can lose their job except for teachers, librarians and any federal employee(needed, redundant or not).


10 posted on 12/22/2020 5:33:20 AM PST by qaz123
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To: qaz123
When will our school taxes go down with the lowered enrollment?

>60% of my property taxes go to closed government schools.

11 posted on 12/22/2020 5:35:58 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.)
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To: Fresh Wind

Well they had a Associated Press photographer visiting that day...


12 posted on 12/22/2020 5:50:37 AM PST by GreenLanternCorps (Hi! I'm the Dread Pirate Roberts! (TM) Atsk about franchise opportunities in your area.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Leftards have willingly kicked people out thinking that everyone would just stay in the system and allow the public screwels to screw their kids up.
It’s pathetic.


13 posted on 12/22/2020 6:12:59 AM PST by vpintheak (Live free, or die!)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I’m in CA—I withdrew my teen daughter from public school this fall, and she’s in private school now.

I withdrew my teen son from public school on Friday, and he’s homeschooling now.

I should have done this years ago.


14 posted on 12/22/2020 6:56:27 AM PST by olivia3boys
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

As does mine and I don’t, never have and never will, have a kid in the local school system. Which, ranks toward the bottom in the great state of Georgia.


15 posted on 12/22/2020 9:55:17 AM PST by qaz123
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