As teachers and students get back into the swing of the school year, teachers can usually tell which students had opportunities to keep learning over the summer.
It’s not that they expect every child to remember each math lesson or every bit of history they learned the previous year. That’s not realistic. It’s more about confidence. Some students jump right back in, ready to tackle new challenges. Others take a little longer to find their footing again.
My background includes nearly two decades in the classroom, followed by time in the Statehouse, and I now serve on the State Board of Education. One thing I learned is that families want to help their children succeed. The problem isn’t motivation. Tutoring isn’t always an option and work schedules keep parents busy. Just getting everyone through the week can be challenging enough.
That’s why we should pay more attention to learning opportunities that are already within reach. Many families already have internet access and devices their children use. Instead of treating every minute spent online as time lost, we should ask whether some of those hours could help children ease back into learning as we get back into the school year.
Education has changed over the years. I’ve watched it happen. More and more, learning doesn’t always happen behind a desk. Children learn by exploring, collaborating with each other, making mistakes, and figuring out another way forward. Those experiences, regardless of where they happen, help build confidence. It’s that confidence that makes school a little less intimidating.
Platforms like Roblox can play a role here. Plenty of kids use it simply because they enjoy it. Along the way, many also find themselves designing projects, experimenting with coding, or solving problems that require patience and persistence. They’re learning without necessarily thinking of it as schoolwork. That matters for families looking for practical options.
Online platforms don’t replace great teachers. What they can do is complement what happens in school and keep students engaged in the learning process. That way the dreaded summer slide isn’t quite as steep. Parents can start by spending a little time asking what their child is building instead of assuming they’re only playing a game. Teachers also need to recognize that some students are developing useful skills in places we didn’t expect a generation ago.
There’s also a role for policymakers, too. Discussions about educational opportunity often focus on what happens inside school buildings. We should also think about the tools families can use at home. That’s especially true for ones that don’t require expensive programs or long drives across the county. Every August, teachers meet students exactly where they are. Some come back eager to jump in. Others need a little time to get up to speed.
We can make that transition easier. It doesn’t take an expensive program or packed schedule. Sometimes all it takes is giving kids opportunities to stay curious over the summer and reminding ourselves that learning has never been limited to a classroom.
Teresa Fedor
Bowling Green
Member, Ohio State Board of Education
