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Education
COVID, the Courts, and Sending Your Child to School
The nightmare schools are facing when divorced parents can’t agree.
Divorce means writing down all the details of how you’re going to parent your children. Maybe you and your partner can reach an agreement on your own, or maybe the courts will decide for you.
For example, who will cover them under their health insurance? Who will pay the medical bills not covered by insurance? Who will claim them as dependents for income tax purposes? Who will pay for karate lessons and baseball uniforms? Where will they go to school?
Normally, both parents will have equal say in all matters affecting their children. Both will come to doctor's appointments and parent-teacher meetings. Both can receive grade and behavior reports. Both can communicate with school officials independently and provide input.
This process assumes that parents will put their children’s best interests first and foremost. But what happens when neither side knows what those best interests are?
The lack of in-person educational options disproportionately harms low-income and minority children and those living with disabilities. These students are far less likely to have access to private instruction and care and…
