CPS parents share mixed feedback about AMI days ahead of third remote learning day

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Some people are torn about the effectiveness of Columbia Public School's Alternate Methods of Instruction, as the district heads into its third consecutive day of remote learning.

CPS was one of multiple districts in Mid-Missouri to cancel classes Wednesday, as winter weather continues to cause problems.

The district announced the addition of remote learning days in December following the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's incentive program for Senate Bill 727.

According to a release from CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark, the district will have AMI on Wednesday due to secondary routes that "still need attention to make travel safer for buses."

Vice President of the Columbia Board of Education John Lyman told ABC 17 News that safety is the district's main priority and leaders don't plan to reopen until they can ensure students can safely get to school.

"We're also talking about 16, 17 year old drivers. Again, we were all in high school. We know what those high school cars look like, we don't need those driving around you know, on the roads and stuff," Lyman said. "It's making sure that not only can we get our students to school but we get them to school safely because if they can't get to school safely, then it's not, it's not worth the risk."

Jacob Corcoran said his two sons who attend Fairview Elementary School spent the previous two AMI days finishing various assignments such as writing letters, doing math equations and drawing pictures.

Corcoran said he appreciates the fact that the remote days allow him to be more engaged in what his children are learning.

"A lot of times I struggle with understanding actually what my boys are doing in school. I don't get to see all of the work that they do and I don't get to see them actually work through the problems they do. So, from that perspective, it's actually been kind of nice," Corcoran said.

Corcoran and his family live just minutes away from Fairview Elementary School, which he says frustrated him knowing that his students couldn't attend school when they are within walking distance. However, he said he understands the district's desire to keep other people not in the same situation safe.

While Corcoran views the remote learning days as a way to participate more in his sons' learning, he has questions over the integrity of what they're learning.

"From my opinion, it's kind of easy and it certainly took them both an hour today to do their stuff," Corcoran said. "So, from that perspective, I hope it doesn't compare to what they're learning in school."

Down the same Southwest Columbia neighborhood lives Lindsay Robb and her daughters who also participated in the remote learning days.

Robb said she thinks the district's first two AMI days went smoothly for her daughters and said it allowed them the opportunity to also participate in other activities. Robb acknowledged that the learning during remote days isn't the same as in the classroom, but said it still provides a chance for students to be engaged in learning.

"It's just review and not anything new that can just still keep them in the education mode and not having to do things like Zoom," Robb said.

According to Lyman, a survey will be sent to families following the completion of AMI days that will allow people to provide feedback.