City Council urges state to pass legislation relative to the educational needs of students

There is no doubting the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted many students as they were forced to adjust to remote learning. As a result, many students have experienced tremendous learning loss.

Due to learning loss and missed opportunities because of the pandemic, many students due to graduate in 2022 might not feel prepared to graduate, and might like to stay in school for an additional year.

Students with disabilities are particularly impacted by COVID-19 and learning loss, as many require in person instruction and services. Many of these students would also like to stay for an additional year; however, some may reach 22 years of age and will be aged-out of the school system by 2022.

During this week’s Council meeting, the Council voted to adopt a resolution in support of H.D. 4120, “An Act relative to the educational needs of students whose education was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.” This bill would allow students who are scheduled to graduate in 2021 or 2022 from a district high school or charter school to opt into an additional year of schooling if the student or their guardian determines that the student’s education has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill would further allow students receiving special education who will be 22 and are due to graduate in 2021 or 2022 to opt into an additional academic year, if the student or their guardian determines that the student’s education has been impacted by the pandemic.

The Council believes that this bill will help address learning loss, and allow graduating students, especially students with disabilities, to be fully prepared academically and emotionally before they cross the stage.