Missouri schools starting early could be a good thing for struggling kids.

Missouri K-12 districts can request to start school year earlier this fall. The state Board of Education has voted to give the Education Commissioner authority to decide whether districts can start the school year earlier this fall.

If an anticipated spike in coronavirus cases happens this fall, Commissioner Margie Vandeven says giving schools the option to start earlier will help with student learning. “All the research and everything on the national circuit of what they’re talking about how to minimize this what they’re calling COVID loss, instead of learning loss, is to really grant schools flexibility to find the right time to re-enter,” says Vandeven.

Schools interested in starting earlier must first get input by holding a public hearing at the very least and explain how an exemption would benefit the students and reduce the spread of the coronavirus.