Editorial: Elementary school does not need to go digital

With online college and professional courses already a staple, it’s only natural that some elementary schools are following suit.

However, while state-funded online elementary school is a great idea for students with long commutes or special learning needs, the majority taking advantage of these programs may be losing out in the long run.

Parents have responded positively to full-time online schools, noting that their children can progress at their own pace and receive more attention, with less classroom crowding.

Recent scandals, however, including cases of some teachers instructing hundreds of students each, may be a caveat to those claims.

Additionally, socialization is a significant element of the student experience. Practice in group problem-solving, whether in the classroom or on the playground, is essential for development.

The traditional public school puts children in a scenario in which they must learn to deal with a diverse group of their peers, and they can learn to overcome situations such as bullying and lying.

Though parents often supplement their children’s social lives through clubs and sports teams, some activities simply cannot be replicated: playing the oboe for a private teacher is not the same as being part of a school band.

Instead of spending their energy and money patching up holes in online education, parents should use those resources to make existing schools stronger.

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