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Schools confront 'off the rails' numbers of failing grades

school desk
Posted at 9:09 AM, Dec 07, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-07 09:09:54-05

The first report cards of the new school year are arriving with a lot more Fs than usual, and it’s not just parents who are getting distressed.

School districts from coast to coast have reported the number of students failing classes has risen by as many as two or three times — a sign of the struggles many students are having with distance learning, particularly English language learners, those with disabilities and other disadvantaged students.

Educators see a number of factors at play: Students learning from home skip assignments — or school altogether.

Internet access is limited or inconsistent, making it difficult to complete and upload assignments.