State Superintendent Calls For Extending Michigan's School Year
(CBS DETROIT) - State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice is calling to extend the number of schools days next year due to lost learning during the pandemic.
Rice testified in front of a joint committee Tuesday and said a return to "pre-pandemic education is not enough" adding that the approach needs to be multi-layered. Michigan schools are currently required to have 180 days.
Detroit school board member Sherry Gay-Dagnogo said, "We're going to have to look at some creative ways of not just checking off a box for the number of days."
Rice said in-person classes can resume in the winter if COVID cases remain low and the access to coronavirus vaccines continues to increase.
The state superintendent asked the federal government for a waiver so students in Michigan won't have to take the standardized math and reading tests in 2021.
MORE FROM CBS DETROIT: Missed Gov. Whitmer's Press Conference? Here's Her Update On The State's Response To COVID-19
MORE FROM CBS DETROIT: Southfield Police: Man Trying To Sell iPhone Robbed And Shot, 17-Year-Old In Custody
MORE FROM CBS DETROIT: New Program Pays For Associate Degree, Trade Certificates