Why Schools Don’t Switch to Digital Learning During Closures

It is safe to say that this school year has not followed a normal schedule. Power outages and snow days have disrupted the academic calendar, leaving many students wondering: why doesn’t Bellevue High School switch to digital learning when in-person classes are canceled? 

While online learning became the norm during the pandemic, transitioning to remote instruction for occasional closures is not as simple as it seems. 

“While there is no exact answer as to why we don't transition in and out of online school during closures, there are two mitigating factors to consider. If there is an outage, students may not have access to power in order to attend classes,” Assistant Principal Jocelyn Alexander said.  

A major challenge is how accessible it is for students and teachers. With Seattle’s inclement weather, harsh weather conditions can lead to power outages and internet disruptions, making it difficult for students and staff to reliably attend virtual classes. Not all students have access to a quiet workspace or the necessary technology at home. 

Additionally, district policies and state regulations play a role. Washington state requires schools to meet a set number of instructional days, and most districts plan for potential weather-related closures in their academic calendar. Rather than shifting to remote learning, schools typically add makeup days to ensure students receive the required amount of in-person instruction. 

“We have a number of students whose only meals of the day are provided by schools, so if we are requiring students to attend school electronically, yet we don't have the means to feed them... it could be an issue,” Alexander said.  

Another consideration is the role of closure days as mental health breaks. Unexpected days off provide students and teachers with much-needed rest, helping reduce burnout. While digital learning could keep classes on schedule, it eliminates the benefit of a true break from school. 

“Many of our issues are equity related, so what we have to remember/keep in mind is what works for some, does not work for all, and that's problematic,” Alexander said.  

Although digital learning is an option, its challenges outweigh its benefits for short-term closures. For now, schools will continue to rely on scheduled makeup days to keep students on track.