Overview
If you have a high school student who was a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in the 2019-2020 school year, they were significantly impacted by school closures in the Tri-Cities. The seniors have moved on after playing their roles in virtual graduation ceremonies. If they were juniors, the state worked with them last year, forgiving some credit and testing requirements to help them graduate in 2021. If they were only sophomores, they are now experiencing a senior year back in the classrooms, but with frequent absences of their peers and teachers due to positive COVID test results. And…if they were a first-year freshman, they are now entering the ever-important junior year, heavy with writing, math, and science to prepare for college or other post-secondary training.
The Issue at Hand
Many students are finding themselves short of credits due to the virtual format and the struggles of technology playing such a significant role in their learning over the past two years. There are opportunities outside the school hours that will help your student to earn extra credits and make up for lost time. All three school districts, and outer lying districts too, are working to offer as many opportunities as they can for student success. In the Richland School District funds were assigned to pay for summer school classes. Pasco has a history of not charging for summer school. This past year and this present year, districts are offering on-line classes (beyond the school day) that can be completed done at home without charge. Contact your student’s counselor for information or to request your child be registered.
Unfortunately, programs that offer the chance to acquire credits beyond the school day are online and your student might have an aversion to additional virtual learning. However, these courses are different and if they find fast success, they will be open to the concept when they realize this will allow them to graduate on time and with their peers.
Online Resources
Red Comet is a fast-growing company that offers over 175 self-paced courses, including AP courses. At redcomet.com you can browse the course catalog. The cost for these courses varies. Call 1-888-730-1101 to find out the cost of a particular class. BYU offers another link to online high school courses. BYU Independent Study offers over 470 courses, also including AP courses. You can view their offerings at is.byu.edu. Be sure to contact your student’s counselor at the respective high school before enrolling your student to make sure it is the exact class needed to cover a deficit in their graduation progress. Both of these programs cost, so explore those costs and ask about scholarships if you have need.
Final Thoughts
As we entered the 2021-2022 school year, the impact of COVID on your student’s education still hampers the return to normal. Athletes are tested frequently, and kids are still wearing masks. Teachers who have perfect attendance are absent as they test positive or someone in their family tests positive. If your student got behind or is struggling to stay up with the pace of this year, reach out to the guidance counselor and take proactive steps to help your child earn any credits necessary to graduate on time.
