BCPS Teachers Say Students That Have Failed Classes Due to COVID-19 Should be Retained

As the school year draws to a close, parents, teachers and other school officials across South Florida are now debating an appropriate course of action for students who have failed numerous classes because of COVID-19.

The pandemic, which forced students to switch to remote learning for several months, is being blamed for a sharp increase in failures in school districts across the country.

In South Florida, Broward County Public School (BCPS) Superintendent Robert Runcie said that in 2020, there were over 50,000 students in the district who were not making adequate academic progress due to COVID-19 and remote learning.

“We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of students who have one or more failing grades. That number has gone up from 4% to 11%. The number of students that have 15 or more absences in the first quarter also increased, from 1,700 to over 8,200. And of great concern, is the 59,000 students we’ve identified who are not making adequate academic progress,” Runcie said in January, as he addressed the mass resignation of teachers.

The situation is particularly frustrating for teachers in South Florida who have had to change their approach to cater to numerous failing students. Some teachers in Broward County believe that students who have failed classes should be retained for the next school year.

- Advertisement -

“As a history teacher, I believe that students who failed this year due to covid-19 should be repeated. We’re not pushing our students. They need the correct education and the right guidance in order to be pushed through grades. If we’re pushing students through and they’re failing horribly, they won’t get the right foundation and go on to be successful,” said 8th-grade BCPS teacher, Alain Filius.

Brittany Okorie, a 6th-grade ELA BCPS teacher, also told Caribbean National Weekly that, “I do believe the failing students should be retained. Right now, they’re already delayed. If you let them go on to the next school year, there is going to be a learning gap and its going to be harder for them to catch on which also makes it harder for the teacher because they have to go back to lessons from previous grades. They should be retained to help bridge that gap.”

Another BCPS teacher, Stephanie Bouliver, said the district needs to take into consideration the traumatic impact of the pandemic on students.

“I think that this year, there is a definite change. The pandemic has affected students outside the classroom and definitely in the classroom. There needs to be a consideration for the trauma of it all,” she told Caribbean National Weekly.

“They need to definitely make sure that the students have some form of enrichment in the summer and in extreme cases, where it’s obvious that the student will not be able to be successful in the next grade, then retention is the only other option.”

The leaders in the school districts in South Florida have said that they believe the increase in failures was caused by the switch to online learning. They have encouraged parents to send their children back into the classroom as soon as possible.

More Stories

Audrey Marks, Delano Seiveright

Senators Audrey Marks, Delano Seiveright appointed to ministerial roles

Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness has appointed two newly sworn-in government senators, Audrey Marks and Delano Seiveright, to ministerial positions, reinforcing his Administration’s focus...
Antigua and Barbuda says it will accept nationals deported from the US

Antigua and Barbuda seeks clarification on draft US travel ban proposal

The government of Antigua and Barbuda has formally sought clarification from the United States following reports that the Caribbean nation could be among the...
Andrew Holness

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness hints at election announcement ‘very soon’

Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness has hinted that the countdown to general elections has begun, telling supporters that “every Jamaican will be called upon...
Medicare

Miami inspector pleads guilty to fraud in Medicare accreditation scheme

A Florida contractor has admitted to accepting bribes and engaging in fraudulent self-dealing to manipulate the Medicare accreditation process, federal prosecutors announced. Manuel Delgado, 64,...
Four Jamaicans arrested in Alabama for alleged involvement in lottery scam

Broward man sentenced to over 11 years on gun and drug charges

A federal judge has sentenced 38-year-old David Lee Pitts to 135 months in prison for drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession, following his arrest...
Marco Rubio

US applauds Belize’s democratic elections, pledges continued partnership

The United States has congratulated Prime Minister John Briceño on his re-election, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Belize. In an official statement,...
Mr Justice Andrew Burgess

CCJ to host special sitting for Justice Andrew Burgess’s retirement

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will hold a Special Sitting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, to honor the retirement of the Honourable Mr...
cocaine bust Guyanese nationals

Guyanese nationals among six arrested in massive cocaine bust off West Africa

Four Guyanese nationals are among six crew members arrested after authorities discovered 6.3 tonnes of cocaine aboard a Guyana-flagged vessel off the West African...
US travel ban

Saint Lucia and St. Kitts & Nevis respond to reports of US travel ban

The governments of Saint Lucia and St. Kitts & Nevis have responded to media reports suggesting that their nations are included in a draft...
US travel ban

Caribbean nations included on draft US travel ban proposal

According to a report by The New York Times, the Trump administration is considering a new travel ban that would affect several Caribbean nations. The...

Latest Articles

Skip to content