FYI from BSF, 07.22.22
Summer Reading
Despite the disruptions and challenges of the 2021-2022 school year, there is early, hopeful data that a dent has been made in learning loss caused by the pandemic.
NWEA, whose research initially sounded the alarm on learning loss in 2020, released student progress data reflecting a sample of 8.3M kids. Another summary here. Here are the takeaways.
Younger students have gained more ground back, but still have not returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Starting in 7th grade, rebounds are less significant.
Gaps remain - students in higher poverty schools have more ground to make up. That may be related to the fact that those students were more likely to be in remote schooling for longer in 2020-2021.
The direction here is generally encouraging, but there is still a long way to go. Boston has a lot of federal dollars to deploy. Massachusetts was one of two states highlighted for its “acceleration” approach. Last year’s MCAS results mirrored national trends, with large declines and achievement gaps. When 2022 MCAS results are released will they match this year’s national trends, again?
The release of state and federal discipline data have raised alarms with special education advocates. In Massachusetts, Black females are disproportionately disciplined.
In more Massachusetts news, universal meals in schools are covered in the passed state budget. A bill supporting teacher diversity is on its way to passage. The search is on for a new commissioner of higher education.
New York City projects to lose another 4% of its student population this coming year.
We are hiring (still). Know someone with school-based experience who would like to support school leaders and schools (we work with 50+)? Refer them to our Director of School Partnerships Role.