North Michigan News

School shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic have demonstrated the possibilities and potential of remote learning, said Rep. Jack O’Malley (R-Lake Ann).

“You try to look for the silver lining in every situation,” O’Malley said in a June 26  recorded message to constituents. “The COVID situation, I think, has shown that we can do schools a little differently. One of the areas I think we need to head to is remote learning.”

It would be particularly helpful in a state like Michigan that typically experiences a lot of snow days, O'Malley pointed out.

Rep. Jack O'Malley | Michigan House Republicans

“If we had it set up where kids could remotely learn, the snow day -- kids, sorry -- becomes a thing of the past,” said O’Malley in his recorded message. “Because you’re prepared and you go home on the computer, you do your thing and then two days later you’re back. You might still have to learn, kids. The snow day won’t be the exact same thing.”

But there has been some pushback to the idea, O'Malley said.

“Well, our internet isn’t as good here or there,” he said in his message. “I don’t think we can just flip the switch and everybody can remote-learn now. But I think we’ve learned that it is a massive goal to work towards.”

A recent analysis by a nonprofit group, Education Trust-Midwest, found that in 2018, a third of students in rural and minority school districts in Michigan didn’t have internet or computer devices at home for remote learning.

“Experts warn that a shift toward remote learning as districts adopt strategies to keep students and staff safe from COVID-19 may widen the achievement gaps between more-affluent students who have digital access at home and low-income students who don’t,” according to a report in Bridge Michigan.

Development of remote learning is a long-term goal. “It won’t happen tomorrow,” O'Malley said in his message. “But I think we’ve learned that it’s a goal we have to strive for.”