Education

St. Louis Public Radio’s Ryan Delaney is in Germany this month to report on how that country handles keeping its schools open.

School administrators are trying to figure out just what all the 5-year-olds are up to, as many did not show up — or log on — for the first day of school.

St. Louis County school districts are sending some elementary school children back to the classroom after health officials said young children account for far fewer new coronavirus cases than teenagers. Early childhood researchers warn that virtual learning can harm the emotional health and education of young students more than that of older students.

First-year teachers document the experience of starting a school year that’s like no other.

Belleville News-Democrat reporter Megan Valley joins the program to talk about how the lack of coronavirus transparency is concerning parents in the Metro East.

Most public schools in St. Louis and St. Louis County remain closed to protect student and staff health. Recreation and youth centers are expanding hours to take in students so they have a place to complete virtual lessons.

Some districts are bringing students back to classrooms but some schools have already had to close because of possible virus exposure.

Some reopening schools in the St. Louis area are trying to make use of whatever grass and outdoor space they have, banking on it being a safer place to bring students back than indoors.

Many schools are now conducting classes 100% online. Navigating virtual education has many families scrambling to make it work, but likely none more so than families with special needs students.

There is no obvious benchmark for school leaders to use to decide whether it’s safe for teachers and students to be in classrooms together.