PA COVID-19 School Year Repeat: Decision Deadline Imminent

Pittsburgh PA

12 July, 2021

8:06 AM

Description

PENNSYLVANIA — The deadline is looming for parents to decide whether their children should repeat the 2020-21 school year to make up for any lost educational opportunities because of the coronavirus outbreak. A redo can occur even if the student met all requirements to advance to the next grade level. A state law approved last month allows parents or students 18 or older have until Thursday to determine whether the student should be held back. Before the law was passed, the decision on whether a student should repeat a grade rested solely on the child's school and teachers. "Students have spent a lot of time learning at home over the past year, so parents have played a larger role than ever in the education of their children," Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman of Centre County, who authored the measure, said recently . "Giving parents the option to provide an extra year of education for their children offers a pathway to help students who have suffered serious learning gaps during the pandemic." The law also allows parents the option to extend enrollment in special education programs for an extra year due to COVID-19. The provision would prevent students with special needs from aging out of the system at age 21 after missing out on much of the specialized attention they need due to the virus outbreak's disruptions. The law applies to parents and children who attend schools responsible for the education of deaf and blind students. The grade level retainment notification form should be completed and submitted to the student's district and school. Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe