According to the school district, Des Moines’ elementary schools reported class participation just over 87% DMPS middle schools reported 80% overall participation, while high schools reported 70% participation.

“For a time when our teachers are dealing with something they've never dealt with before, our students and parents have never dealt with before, when it comes to education, we are seeing good engagement,” DMPS spokesperson Phil Roeder said. “But, we're not seeing great engagement.”

Roeder said district leaders are torn by a desire to bring students back to the classroom while keeping them safe.

"Schools aren’t much different than any other business or any other organization that is dealing with a pandemic,” Roeder said. “We are all seeing a downturn. It doesn't matter what you're doing during the year 2020. Things are different."

Boaz Rutekereza Nkingi, with the Iowa Congolese Organization and Center for Healing (ICOACH), is doing his part to make sure more than 100 African refugee students in Des Moines attend online classes.since the school year began.

ICOACH provides a space at Zion Lutheran Church for students to attend online classes while their parents are at work.

“Honestly, a lot of them would miss classes when they're at home,” Nkingi said. “They want to play and do something else.”

Nkingi said ICOACH Iowa needs financial assistance to help keep students in online classes. For more information, visit icoachiowa.org.

https://www.kcci.com/article/des-moines-schools-report-dip-in-online-learning-attendance/34909345