Alabama schools reported over 9.000 coronavirus cases in students and staff in the past week. Eighty four out of the State’s one hundred and forty three school districts were part of the new report. The surge is causing more schools make a temporary switch to remote learning. Superintendent Eric Mackey says the statewide spike in COVID-19 is creating a difficult mix as the school year gets underway. Another concern is how COVID may take a different toll on education. Mackey says upcoming test scores are expected to show student achievement declined last year with closures. That’s one reason school officials want to keep youngsters from going back to virtual classes.