The "Return to Learn" plan allows districts to choose if and how students return to school in the fall. | stock photo
The "Return to Learn" plan allows districts to choose if and how students return to school in the fall. | stock photo
As the upcoming school year nears, Rep. Ryan Berman (R-Commerce Township) is working with the Michigan Legislature to help get students back to in-person learning in a safe manner.
"In-person education is critical to a child’s learning, development and mental well-being," Berman said in a column he wrote for the Michigan House Republicans. "I believe it’s an option we must have available for our state’s students and their parents this fall."
Berman helped create a plan that will let students and teachers teach and learn safely. The "Return to Learn" plan will allow school districts, working with local health departments, determine the best course of action to take for the upcoming school year. Districts will be able to choose between online, in-person or a type of hybrid learning model.
Rep. Ryan Berman
| Michigan House Republicans
"Whether a school district decides to continue with distance learning or return students safely to the classroom following consultation with their local health departments, I have supported legislation providing the resources needed for students and educators," Berman said in his column. "A supplemental funding plan will give schools a net increase of $256 million in per-pupil funding, while working to fill budget shortfalls caused by COVID-19. In addition, a total of over $50 million in bonus pay will go to teachers throughout our state -- helping our educators cover costs incurred from this tumultuous time. A total of over $500 million will support schools, including intermediate school districts, as they coordinate and implement safe in-person plans and distance-learning plans."
The plan allows flexibility for school districts, communities and families. While the school districts will be able to decide the best way to go, parents will still have a choice in how their children learn this year.
"COVID-19 has presented us with an unprecedented challenge, but we must continue to put our future generations in the best possible position to succeed," Berman said in his column. "Those efforts can’t stop. Not for a second. I am working to give schools every possible tool to educate our children in this new environment, while giving parents the ability to decide what is best for their child."
Alerts Sign-up