2 cities pursued more school for kids. Only 1 pulled it off.
Facing massive pandemic learning loss, the superintendent in Richmond, Virginia, tried to remake one of the most untouchable aspects of school – the academic calendar
By BIANCA VÁZQUEZ TONESS
Published - Dec 16, 2022, 10:10 AM ET
Last Updated - Jun 23, 2023, 05:41 AM EDT
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Jonathan Oliva is in third grade, but struggles to read and write.
“His teacher said he’s like a kindergartner. He doesn’t know anything. And she can’t help because her class is too big,” his mother, Veronica Lucas, said in Spanish, standing in the parking lot outside his elementary school.
Jonathan, his older sister and cousins watched from the backseat as Lucas shook her head. So many obstacles stand between Jonathan and reading fluently. Much of his short academic career was spent online.
“We can only help him so much,” said Lucas, who came to the U.S. from Guatemala when she was 13 and has limited experience with school herself. “He needs more time in school.”
