It’s been a little more than a month since school started virtually, and thousands of students, teachers and families are divided over the Alexandria City Public Schools’ VirtualPLUS+ program.
On Thursday, the Alexandria School Board will publicly review survey responses filled out by 5,952 students (53% of students grades 3-12), 2,060 teachers (77% of full time employees) and 7,439 families (48%) on their VirtualPLUS+ experience.
There are 15,579 students currently enrolled in ACPS, and student screen time was listed as the top challenge by 48% of students, 56% of staff and 51% of families.
“Most families (65%) and students (58%) feel that the amount of teacher–led live instruction time is ‘just right,'” according to ACPS. “Staff were almost equally divided between feeling that the amount of teacher–led live instruction time was too much (48%) and just right (47%).”
Younger grade levels also reported having more challenges with screen time than any other age category. Younger families also reported needing child care.
Additionally, 56% of staff reported they would be very or somewhat likely to go back to school in the event of facilities reopening with COVID restrictions, including face masks, distancing and other measures.
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Time flies when you’re having fun! The T.C. Williams High School Class of 1973 will hold its 50th reunion July 21-23, 2023 in Alexandria. All graduates and their adult nears and dears are welcome. Events include a Friday evening icebreaker, Saturday dinner dance, and a Sunday brunch. For more information: tcwilliams73.com, 770.789.3534.