Addressing the Education Crisis: Filling In Pandemic-Caused Learning Gaps

New data from the Nation's Report Card reveals a concerning decline in math and reading skills among 13-year-old students, highlighting the long-lasting impact of the pandemic on education.

The decline in math scores, which predates the pandemic, affects various demographics and educational settings, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Additionally, reading skills have been widely affected, indicating a significant challenge to student performance.

Students who were in fourth and fifth grade during the pandemic have experienced a particularly noticeable decline in their educational progress, as they now find themselves in seventh and eighth grade. Math, in particular, is highly sensitive to classroom instruction due to the cumulative nature of the subject.

Recent data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress reveals the greatest drop in math scores in over 50 years, plunging proficiency levels to those last seen in the 1970s. Furthermore, reading for pleasure, which is closely linked to academic success, has significantly decreased.

Individual and group tutoring emerge as crucial components in supporting students to recover lost ground. With personalized instruction, students can bridge learning gaps, build confidence, and develop a genuine love for learning beyond the classroom.

According to Keri Rodrigues, co-founder and president of the National Parents Union, urgent intervention, personalized learning plans, and high-impact tutoring are essential to preventing the loss of an entire generation of students to the education crisis. This significant decline in math and reading skills among our teenagers demands immediate action.