Many SWFL parents, students concerned with poor education during pandemic

Are students getting enough out of their time in the classroom? We are asking you if children are getting the education they need to succeed. Many parents and kids say the answer is no.

During this most unusual school year, we asked Southwest Florida students one simple question: Are you still learning what you need to?

In Lee County, a middle schooler wrote to us she’s learning, and she’s grateful.

“All the teachers are doing what they have to do to teach their students what they need to know to pass,” the student wrote. “I think that we are all learning just as before.”

But all kids learn differently, especially now, with so many different ways to learn online and in person. We received a related comment from a Charlotte County middle schooler.

“The math that they teach us makes absolutely no sense. Half of the stuff they teach us is useless,” the student wrote.

It turns out a lot of parents answered for their students. Of the participants, 59% said, “No,” kids aren’t learning what they need to, or parents were not sure if they are.

“The classroom is disrupted by teachers who seem to be distracted with COVID worries, and the curriculum seems rushed,” a parent wrote.

“Electronics cause nothing but a distraction for my child, and he’d rather play games versus do class work,” A parent wrote. “And teacher is not able to watch whole time to catch it. Assignments aren’t being completed.”

Richard Corcoran, the state education commissioner, ordered all schools to open in August and offer an online option.

By Thanksgiving, Corcoran is expected to announce whether that education model will remain after the holidays.

“I really don’t understand how they expect children to all be on track,” another parent wrote.

You can still participate in our survey. We want to hear from you.

MORE: Survey: How is school going in Southwest Florida in the COVID era?