Push to close homework gap grows as coronavirus necessitates virtual learning

When Seattle Public Schools announced it was closing schools for a minimum of two weeks, after a staff member became infected with COVID-19, students were sent home with no distance learning option. State Superintendent Chris Reykdal advised districts it was better to close schools rather than continue inequitable e-learning.  But now that closures in Washington's King, Pierce and Snohomish counties will stretch for six weeks or more, concerns over families' access to the internet have increased. On the heels of the decision to shut down Washington’s biggest districts came more closures. Statewide closures in several districts have been announced, along with Los Angeles, San Diego and Atlanta and other major metro districts. Nationally, approximately 12 million students fall into the homework gap because they don’t have internet access at home, according to the Federal Communications Commission.