One week with substitutes and students claim little learning in classrooms

Medford, Ore. — Students are now starting their second week with substitute teachers at the helm and many kids say it’s not going well.

One week in school without their regular teachers and students we spoke with say class continues to be a waste of time.

“We’re really not doing anything in there. In my AP calculus class we were coloring last week,” said Gerardo Rodriguez, a senior at North Medford High School.

As of Friday, attendance at North Medford High School was down to 30%. District-wide attendance was at 44%.

“No one’s really been coming to school now,” added Rodriguez.

However, according to the Medford School District, as of Tuesday more kids were showing up. The district’s updated information showed 49% of kids are going to class in the district. When it comes to North Medford, the district said attendance increased to 37%.

Students however, said it’s because they’ve figured out how roll call works.

“They take attendance in the first block which is first period, so kids usually just go to their first block and then they just leave. They don’t take attendance in any other class,” said Madison Miller, a junior at North Medford High.

According to district officials, the principal at North Medford confirms, while they have roll sheets for all periods, 1st period is the official count.

“Some subs are trying, some aren’t,” admitted Miller.

However, numerous other students who have spoken with NBC 5 News say they’re not learning much.

Some students said they didn’t realize what their regular teachers meant to them until now.

“I actually miss my teachers, like I never thought I would get to that point, but I actually miss learning,” said Miller.

One teacher we spoke with said he’s concerned about having to catch students up when he does return to the classroom.

The Superintendent of the Medford School District said they only hire highly qualified, licensed teachers to sub and with scholarships hanging in the balance as well as graduation on the horizon, it’s important for kids to keep attending school.