An increasing number of Los Angeles students are switching to online schooling, which has educators concerned about student safety and the impact online learning will have on families.
LAUSD already offers virtual options for students seeking to enrich their learning outside of the classroom. In addition to online classes, the school district offers a virtual academy that is recognized for its high quality.
The popularity of online classes spread during the COVID pandemic, and now, given the Latino population’s fear of immigration operations, many families have opted to enroll their children in these classes.
LAUSD has stated that it will protect its students from ICE to the extent possible, but even so, there have been cases of students who have been exposed to the presence of federal agents.
An LAUSD spokesperson confirmed the rise in enrollment for online learning, but the school district didn’t respond to a question about why more students are signing up for online courses. The district also declined to provide specific enrollment figures.
The increase comes amid a summer of widespread immigration raids in Los Angeles, part of President Donald Trump’s goal to deport 1 million immigrants annually.
“It’s a really scary time for families to send their kids to school,” said Melina Melgoza, an educator in the district. “It’s really clear that families, in all cities, not just LA, that have been targeted by ICE are scared and afraid to leave their home.”
LAUSD currently operates six “virtual academy schools” that offer specialized courses including world languages, STEM, public service and computer science. Students enrolled in the virtual academies are graded under the same criteria as all LA schools and receive up to three hours of daily instruction from a teacher.
