In-person learning suffers as COVID-19 quarantines deplete Maine school staffs

As more teachers and staff are forced into quarantine due to coronavirus exposure, schools are increasingly switching to remote learning because of staffing shortages.

The Maine Department of Education is working with Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor to provide free “learning facilitator” training to students who can serve as substitutes or paraprofessionals in schools after a one-week boot camp. School districts have gotten creative to address shortages and avoid closures, too, but the sudden switch to more remote learning can add to the challenges facing students and families and highlights the toll the pandemic is having on learning. More»