The coronavirus has parents across Michigan wondering how the final months of their children’s school year will continue. But state educators say that decision is ultimately out of their hands.
As coronavirus numbers continue to mount, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has extended Michigan’s statewide school closure to April 13.
State law requires students receive a minimum of 180 days of instruction each year.
State superintendent Michael Rice says he believes students should not be penalized for lost school days, but he says only the Michigan legislature can make that decision.
“We have no authority to count days in which no one attends school as school days,” Rice explains. “The state legislature needs to act to indicate that the days count as instruction.”
Rice says that would allow local districts to remain funded and continue to pay school employees and contract workers.
