Maryland schools grapple with how to fund virtual learning as pandemic money dries up
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Loading... - Sadiki Omar
- 24 Feb 2023
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Baltimore County is the latest Maryland school system grappling with whether to continue its virtual learning program and how to pay for it.
With flagging enrollment and federal funds set to run out next year, the programs that kept public education running through the pandemic face an uncertain future in the county and city, even as a handful of other districts continue to invest in theirs.
Baltimore County Public Schools has proposed lowering the number of students allowed to learn virtually, from more than 1,600 to just under 700, funding the program with what’s left of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund — money the government gave to school systems to help relieve financial burdens caused by the pandemic. The funds expire in September 2024. The school board is set to decide next week on whether to accept the proposed reduction or find the funds to keep it going as is.
The emergency relief fund covered the program from spring 2021 through the 2022-23 school year, which was supposed to be its final year, but staff say there’s still a need. Myriam Yarbrough, deputy superintendent, said virtual programs support students with physical and mental health needs, and accommodate staffing shortages and family preferences.
According to Maryland State Department of Education, 12,277 students around the state were enrolled in a virtual program as of June 1, but many have not performed well compared to in-person students. The failure rates for virtual middle school students were significantly higher in all subjects compared to the rest of the student body last school year. Virtual high school students failed more in math and science at the time. Read More…
