East St. Louis extends school year at least a month

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - Public school students in East St. Louis will be attending class a month longer this year to make up for a loss in educational progress due to COVID-19.

East St. Louis School District 189 board voted late Tuesday to extend the school year by nearly a month. Instead of ending the school year on May 26, the last day of school will arrive June 29.

The district's approximately 5,200 students spent most of the school year logging into classes remotely. The disproportionately higher number of COVID infections in areas served by District 189 kept students out of school until March of this year.

Superintendent Arthur Culver says the district's students, including those considered to be passing, have lost ground with remote learning.

The extended school year is required for all students in preschool through 11th grade, and for high school seniors who have not met graduation requirements by May 19.

Currently, there are no plans for a traditional summer school. Culver said enrichment materials will be shared with parents and if there is enough student and teacher interest, he wouldn't be opposed to a more traditional summer school in July.