Can home-schoolers switch to neighborhood school?

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“My daughter withdrew her child from a school in Parkland in the fall, when remote learning was not working well for her. She may be interested in getting her back into the classroom in January. After a parent withdraws a student, opting for home schooling, are they able to have that student enrolled back into the school?” — Laurie, Plantation

Yes, Broward schools have begun a campaign to get people like your daughter’s family to return to school buildings next semester. With only 26% of kids attending in-person now, there’s plenty of room for families who are ready to make the switch.

Here’s what Broward schools told me about the procedure: “The parent would need to go to the student’s home zoned school and provide evidence of work completed, e.g. the student’s portfolio, upon return. This information will be used to determine academic placement.” You also have to bring proofs of address and medical forms; go to https://www.browardschools. com/registermychild for more details.

Palm Beach County schools are also encouraging parents who chose at-home learning due to the virus to come back. Go to https://www.palmbeachschools. org/students_parents/student_ registration for information.

Will Palm Beach teachers get a raise?

“Is there an update on Palm Beach County teacher salary negotiations?” — L.W., Loxahatchee

It’s taking a long time; they’re still negotiating. At a meeting on Dec. 11, the school district offered teachers 3.5% raises, but teachers are holding out for 4.5%, according to a tape I listened to of the session.

The teachers union said the raises could be financed through the large number of teachers who have quit or retired this year, leaving the district lots of money to pay instructors who are still working.

The union also argues that the school district is likely to get a

$30 million budget surplus from COVID-19 relief money.

The district responded that the federal stimulus is not guaranteed, and the district may lose money from the state because 7,000 students did not re-enroll in Palm Beach County schools this year, likely due to the pandemic.

It’s nerve-wracking for longtime teachers to have so much uncertainty for so long. Broward teachers concluded their negotiations in September. The districts do have money to work with: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill in June releasing $500 million to boost starting teacher pay across the state and another $100 million for raises for those already working. But the exact amount of the raises has to be negotiated with the unions.

The next meeting is scheduled for January. One bright spot: Whatever is agreed upon is retroactive to July 1.

Will classroom learning be different?

“My four kids are learning at home. They would love to return to face to face (provided it is safe) but do not want to simply do e-learning in the classroom. If they have to do e-learning, they’d rather just be at home. Have there been any updates to the plan for second semester?” — Annette Johnson, Hollywood

Broward schools are almost begging students to come back to classrooms. Seeing how many kids are skipping school or failing as they learn from home, the school system is making a push for a return to school buildings next month for the second semester. Only 26% come to school each day now.

In a message posted on Twitter on Monday, Superintendent Robert Runcie promised a whole new approach come January. He said teachers will no longer have to teach in the classroom and online at the same time.

“There will be more of the traditional format where teachers are going to be interacting with students in the classroom,” Runcie said. He also tried to allay fears of COVID-19 spread.

“Our schools are not sources of spread for the coronavirus pandemic,” he said. “If you have any concerns about that, and that’s why you’re keeping your child out of school, I can assure you that’s been addressed.”

It’s a big decision for a family to change from learning at home to returning to school buildings. The school district is sending everyone a survey; they want answers by Dec. 21.

What about state tests?

“Will there be FSAs this year even though so many kids are online?” — Lisa, Tamarac

Yes, standardized testing is not taking a break for the pandemic this year. The Florida Statewide Assessments will proceed in April and May as scheduled, state Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran announced last month.

The assessments measure student progress in core subjects. In April, there are reading and writing tests for grades 3 to 10, and in May there are reading, math and science exams.

The tests did get canceled last spring, in the beginning of the pandemic, but Corcoran said Nov. 18 they’re too important to postpone again.

“We’re not going to go back on that at all,” he said.

Now the question becomes: How will the tests be administered? Will kids have to return to school buildings? Can they take the exams at home, where cheating becomes a possibility?

“Logistics not determined yet,” a Palm Beach County schools spokeswoman said.