Jim Allen

Almost nine out of 10 Washington parents worry that their children are falling behind in school because of the school closures forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a poll released Tuesday. Many parents – more than 75% – also report feeling more stressed than before the pandemic, as they juggle work and household duties along with monitoring their children’s education.

With more families suffering financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic, educators throughout Spokane County are raising money to help residents with their power bills.

While Washington schools continue to wrestle with graduation plans in the face of restrictions forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, Coeur d’Alene Public Schools will hold a drive-in commencement next month at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.. Graduation for Coeur d’Alene and Lake City high schools will be held on the originally planned dates of June 5 and June 6, respectively, and the ceremonies will be broadcast on large screens with sound broadcast on FM radio, the district said Thursday.

Spokane Public Schools has agreed to pay a $6,000 fine after being cited for repeat violations of procedures for disposal of solid waste, the Washington State Department of Ecology said Tuesday.

Superintendents from the four Spokane Valley school districts Thursday urged families to reach out for questions, comments and even criticism in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Except for the very top-performing students, scores in geography and history fell sharply in 2018 among nearly all eighth-grade students in the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also called the Nation’s Report Card.