Representative Casimiro introduces bill to see effect of virtual and hybrid learning during the pandemic

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Representative Julie A. Casimiro has released a bill that will create a commission to study the impact of  hybrid and virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We all know our children’s educations have been drastically affected by the pandemic and it is extremely important to identify and analyze these impacts closely.  Our state’s parents have seen that while some aspects of the current hybrid and distance learning model work, there are also several areas that are lacking and have had a detrimental effect on our students.  The commission’s goal will be to identify what is not working and establish a corrective action plan so that these issues are rectified in case of another surge in the COVID-19 pandemic or other unforeseen future events,” said Representative Casimiro.

The Commission would have a focus on children’s achievement rates to see if there are any issues that need to be addressed.

The commission would call for five members of the House of Representatives; the President of the Rhode Island Association of School Committees; the President of the Rhode Island Association of Administrators; the President of the Rhode Island Association of Administrators of Special Education; the President of the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Federation of Teachers; the President of the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Education Association; the President of the Rhode Island Independent School Association; and the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.  The final 3 spots on the commission would be comprised of parents of children in public elementary, junior high and high schools.