New Jersey offers 'bridge' year for high school students to make up for class time lost in coronavir

[TexasTowelie]

New Jersey offers ‘bridge’ year for high school students to make up for class time lost in coronavirus pandemic


A new “bridge year” pilot program will allow some New Jersey high school students to stay behind for an extra year to make up what they missed when schools were shut down abruptly by the coronavirus.

Under a law signed last month by Gov. Phil Murphy, upcoming juniors and seniors can opt to defer graduation to attend classes at their high schools, participate in extracurricular activities such as musicals, and play spring sports that were canceled because of the pandemic.

“This is just a gap year, plus,” said Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt, (D., Camden), one of the bill’s sponsors. “It creates an option for them.”New Jersey is believed to be the first state to take such action in response to the pandemic, said Mandy Zatynski, a spokesperson for the Education Commission of the States, which tracks education policy. Many schools are weighing options on plans for the 2020-21 school year amid pressure from President Donald Trump to fully reopen.

But will students enroll in high school for a fifth year?

Read more: https://www.inquirer.com/education/nj-schools-bridge-year-pilot-program-makeup-coronavirus-defer-graduation-20200708.html

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. Interesting.

That could work for a lot of students.

I will say that I am very glad my sons are grown and that I don't have grandchildren who might be caught up in all of this.

[Sherman A1]

2. Agreed

Sounds like some folks are thinking about options that will help their students.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. I hope so.

Of course, being able to think about options is a privilege. Not everyone has that privilege.

[MichMan]

4. Need to just hold back everyone a year and try and start over next Fall

[3Hotdogs]

5. I think this will be harmful in poor neighborhoods, with kids already having academic difficulty.

How many 15 year olds, will give up?