COVID education funds aimed at extra classroom time help offset learning disruptions
Updated Jan 26, 2021;
Posted Jan 26, 2021
Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey speaks to reporters after a budget hearing at the Alabama Legislature on Tuesday.
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State Superintendent Eric Mackey told legislators today about efforts to use education funds, including the latest round of federal dollars provided by Congress for COVID-19 relief, to help students make up the learning time they’ve missed because of the pandemic.
Mackey gave a presentation and answered questions at the State House as lawmakers began budget hearings in preparations for the legislative session, which starts Feb. 2.
Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
Public school enrollment has dropped in Oklahoma for the first time in 19 years, with 75% of the decrease attributed to fewer pre-K and kindergarten students, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
Data shows 4,734 fewer pre-K students and 2,381 fewer kindergarteners enrolled in 2020-21 than in 2019-20. This decrease suggests parents are choosing to delay the entry of their 4- and 5-year-olds into school, officials said.
“This pandemic has presented a multitude of challenges, and lower early childhood enrollment numbers tell us we will need to heighten our focus on early learning opportunities and strategic interventions to ensure these children have the prerequisite skills needed for reading and math,” State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said.
Today
Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low 21F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..
Tonight
Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low 21F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Updated: April 1, 2021 @ 9:39 pm