By Gwen Marshall, UniteNews Contributing Writer
The years of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the disruption of learning is coming into focus and the picture is sobering. We are looking at national statistics that indicate that COVID-19 has left us with some serious educational gaps. According to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), or “The Nation’s Report Card,” some two decades of progress have been wiped out. Average math scores for fourth and eighth graders in 2022 fell by five and eight points, respectively, compared with 2019 levels, while average reading scores fell by three points.
Our schools have been charged with the monumental task of making up for months of unfinished learning. Our students need more help to recover both academically and emotionally from pandemic disruptions. And our schools are experiencing staffing shortages which means our teachers are more overworked and overwhelmed.
This is not just a job for our educators. Parents have a role to play at home as well. “Parents should try as much as possible to be both engaged with their student’s schooling and to help them get reengaged with school,” says Dan Goldhaber.
Blondie Ndebele with Global Fund for Children has shared some suggestions about what parents can do to support their children’s post-pandemic learning:
- Understand how your child is doing in school now, ask questions, and look at the learning standards for their current grade to get a sense of what they should be working on in school.
- Bring learning home, but play it cool using fun educational apps, and playing games can all reinforce important skills without making your kids feel like you’re forcing schoolwork on them at home.
- As a parent, your involvement in your child’s academic life is important.
- Make their teacher your ally! Parent-teacher relationships are key in tracking your child’s performance at school and at home.
- By showing an interest in your child’s school life, you are encouraging them to thrive.
- Spend more time with your child, talk to them about the challenges they face, and listen to their concerns.
- Last but not least, Play with them! And as an educator and parent team, we can turn the results of COVID-19 around for our students.
Coming Events:
Thanksgiving Vacation November 21-25 (School System Closed November 23-25)
