Pandemic learning loss recovery will require addressing all student needs, not just academics
(WAER | Sept. 6, 2022) A recent federal study reports that math and reading scores for 9-year-olds took a big hit during the pandemic. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, reading scores saw their highest decrease in 30 years, and math scores had their first decrease in the history of the study …
“We still have to go the extra mile in terms of, do our students have the general needs, the essentials, are they having access to quality lunch, do they have food, do they have water, do they have shelter.”
… Some education experts are now concerned that students’ lack of achievement needs to be examined beyond test scores to improve how students can learn. Assistant Professor at Syracuse University’s School of Education Courtney Mauldin said teachers need to go beyond the curriculum to genuinely help their students.
“We still have to go the extra mile in terms of, do our students have the general needs, the essentials, are they having access to quality lunch, do they have food, do they have water, do they have shelter,” Mauldin said. “Are we doing the small steps that actually do help us to foster relationships and establish trust and create the school as a place of refuge, which is what it once was for many students?”
Mauldin said the pandemic brought a big loss to educators and students alike, making it difficult to return to regular school days. However, Mauldin said acknowledging all aspects of loss over the last few years will aid in students’ recovery.
“We have to really consider these other external factors that really shape student outcomes and if that’s not a priority that’s on the table then we’re not going to see the improvements that we want to see,” Mauldin said. “We’re just going to keep replicating the outcomes we’ve always had” …