When Should Kids Go Back to School This Year?

Some schools are already back in session for the summer, while others eye opening in the fall. There’s still a lot of uncertainty surrounding what the future of education in America will look like, but many parents may be left with a difficult decision: whether or not to send their children back to school. Several factors might play a role in your decision. We’ll share some of the most important things to consider as you weigh your options.

Your Family’s Health

There’s a lot we don’t know about COVID-19, but the CDC reports that some people are thought to be at a higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms than others. These risk factors include asthma, diabetes, chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease, and several other health conditions. If your child or anyone in your household suffers from one or more of these ailments or you’re concerned about the potential health risks associated with sending your child back to school, you might want to talk with your doctor for help assessing the potential health risks.

Your Ability to Homeschool Your Child

Obviously, you want to keep your child on track educationally. If you don’t send your child to school, you’ll need some sort of homeschooling solution. Even if you enroll them in a program that provides instruction, someone will need to be home to supervise them. You’ll also undoubtedly need technology to support remote learning, like a computer and a stable internet connection. If you haven’t had any trouble for the last few months, homeschooling may be a good option.

What Homeschooling Resources Are Available in Your Area

Will teachers provide remote instruction? Will you get lessons from outside resources? Or will it be up to you to put together instructional materials? If there are ample resources available, keeping your children at home may be a little easier. However, if you’re left to fend for yourself, homeschooling may be difficult to manage. This may be especially true if you also have a full-time job.

How Your Child Learns Best

Some children learn well on their own, while others do better in a group setting. If you’ve been shocked at how quickly your child has been learning while school was canceled, homeschooling could keep that ball rolling. But if your child’s progress virtually stopped during quarantine, going back to in-person schooling may have some appeal.

How Widespread the Virus is in Your Area

Virus numbers can change extremely quickly. But if you’re thinking about sending your child back to school, looking at the data may make a difference. Even if your part of the country seems safe to you, you might want to check the numbers regularly. If a superspreader arrives, cases can explode in no time.

Your School’s Plans

Knowing how your child’s school plans to handle the pandemic may make it easier to decide what to do. While the CDC has issued considerations for schools, what each school district actually does may ultimately depend on state regulations and/or decisions made within the district itself. While some schools may have strong plans in place to inhibit the spread of the virus, others may be tempted to go back to business as usual.

The decision won’t be easy, but you can make the best decision for your family by carefully weighing your options.