BOISE, Idaho — Remote learning is a change for many young learners, but some Latino students say distance learning brings particular challenges.
On Wednesday, they shared their concerns with Governor Brad Little during Nuestras Voces, an education forum. The Idaho Statesman and Idaho Education News hosted the virtual discussion.
Jayleen Saucedo, a College of Idaho student, is worried students could be falling behind because of distance learning.
"My own brothers moved to the West Ada School District just as Covid hit. They opted Into the online schooling program. But it is very inconsistent, class time changes, there's a little one on one assistance, and just over all no structure,"Saucedo said,
The platform gave students like Saucedo to share their stories and the challenges other students could be facing during this pandemic.
"It is especially difficult for Latino students because we often have parents, who as intelligent as they are may not formerly educative or even speak English fluently.
So they can't help their children at home. It is inevitable that students will fall behind,"Saucedo said.
Governor Brad little answered student's questions and explained how he would address their concerns.
"I earnestly understand the problem and believe we are going to talk about this in the next session in the legislature," Little said.
A lack of access to the internet in rural communities was also a concern a student brought up.
"Dozens of students in rural district how they can do distance learning if they don't have the internet access at home and hotspot and WIFI is not available. Is the state ready to afford those areas?" a student from Minico High School asked Little.
Little said the school districts received funding to ensure students have the necessary resources to continue their education at home.
"About $40 million went directly to the school districts, but aside from that, we put money into those communities to make more broadband available," he said.
Students spoke about several other topics, from more Latino culture and history incorporated into the education curriculum and more ESL teachers.
