This economy won’t reopen until schools reopen, full stop. So how are we doing on that? More than half of schools teaching up to eighth grade have reopened for in-person instruction, and a large majority of teachers and other relevant workers are vaccinated. But most students are still learning at least partly online and, of course, it’s nearly summer break. No one seems to know what fall will bring. Today, Washington Post education reporter Valerie Strauss walks us through the uncertainty and the possibilities of a hybrid model that’s actually good.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• Read all of Strauss’ work in the Washington Post here
• “Google Plans to Double AI Ethics Research Staff” from The Wall Street Journal
• “Gas prices jump, fuel shortages reported as Colonial Pipeline works to restore operations” from The Washington Post
• “FCC approves $7B broadband connectivity fund” from CNET
• “Credit-Card Debt Keeps Falling. Banks Are On Edge.” from The Wall Street Journal

“Make Me Smart” is a part of your daily habit. We run on listener support, so make donating part of that habit, too! Give what you can today: marketplace.org/givesmart