The chance of students going back to classrooms before the school year ends in Minnesota “is relatively slim,” Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday.
About 870,000 public school students transitioned Monday to distance learning under an order from Walz as the state tries to slow the spread of coronavirus. The current order says distance learning will continue until May 4, but other states have already announced that schools will remain closed through the rest of the school year.
“I think it’s a relatively strong possibility that that will happen here, too,” Walz said.
Decisions are being made about graduation ceremonies and, with spring sports on hold, those “are very hard things” for students to lose, said Minnesota Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Heather Mueller.
“But it’s also the real understanding that the decisions are being made in the best interest of the safety and well being of our students and families,” she said.
Schools know their communities and students best and will be figuring out “really creative ways to ensure that they will be able to honor” students who are graduating, Mueller said.
Walz also brought up a photo that was circulating on social media on April Fools’ Day, which stated he had announced all Minnesota students would repeat their current grade next year (it wasn’t true).
“That was not well received in my home and I’m sure others across the state,” Walz said. “… Stay focused, people.”
