COVID-19 undoubtedly changed K-12 classrooms for the near future.
When school resumes in the fall, even if education returns to pre-pandemic “normal” – with students attending classes all day and in person – teachers are likely to use more online tools and virtual resources than they did pre-COVID. The push into remote learning due to the pandemic opened up resources and opportunities that many schools might not have used before the pandemic. This has led to rethinking the K-12 education system as a whole and how online learning can continue both when students are in school or studying at home.
That means parents need to be prepared to continue the role of facilitator of learning and technology specialist for their school-aged children.
A daunting challenge continues
The pandemic exposed deep inequities in our society – not just in health issues but in everything from which families could afford child care to how easily schools could transition to remote learning. But any parent may feel daunted by the prospect of managing their child’s or children’s remote learning.
One’s education degree does not always matter, nor their level of education. For example, a second-grade teacher might struggle in the role of instructional aide for their teenage child taking physics. Likewise, a high school teacher might be unable to break down the basics of teaching reading to their own kindergartner learning at home. Parents with high school diplomas or less may do just as well assisting their kids with schoolwork as those with a law or medical degree.
Furthermore, consider parents who had three children at home in three different grade levels – or even three different schools. Some juggled three different teachers working in different formats, learning platforms and time schedules.
As teachereducators who are reevaluating how to prepare teachers for future learning disruptions, we’d like to offer parents and caregivers some tips for the upcoming back-to-school season.
1. Get to know the teacher
Your child’s teacher may be unaware of your concerns, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. For example, if your child remains in virtual learning full- or part-time, you may want to ask the teacher about meeting times; whether video and audio should be on at all times; and how to use the learning platform to submit work or ask questions. Parents could meet with their child’s teacher – virtually or in person. Fostering a positive working relationship with your child’s teacher can improve academic performance.
Consider the day-to-day changes that your child will experience upon returning to the classroom. For example, children will begin to work in collaborative group settings and may be required to resolve conflicts with peers. The small changes may affect your child’s transition, so it is beneficial to check in with the teacher regularly.
2. Embrace technology
Even children new to a specific learning platform are likely to be digital natives who can figure out how to use the newly introduced technology on their own.
Allow your child the opportunity to explore different learning websites and apps, either ones recommended by the teacher or ones that adhere to expectations determined by you. These might include active read-aloud activities, educational games and virtual field trips.
Even if your child is not in a virtual learning environment, online learning tools can help reinforce topics taught in class and provide additional help for a child struggling with a specific lesson or topic.
3. Keep expectations high
Encourage your child to complete homework, assigned activities and reading. This requires affirming their knowledge and ability to do the work on their own. Routines are critical during this transition period coming out of the pandemic, but foster your child’s independence through flexibility in those routines. Remember that some good came out of the pandemic, as families were reminded to slow down and readjust as needed.
4. Focus on your own strengths
Learning occurs in all aspects of our day-to-day lives. As a parent-turned-teacher, consider everyday tasks such as cooking, household chores and managing finances to be true learning experiences for your child. Discuss with your children your own transition from pre-pandemic to post-pandemic in terms of technology use, work habits and stress, among other things.
5. Encourage reading
Provide at least 30 minutes a day for your child to read books of their choice. All children, no matter their age, should be encouraged to read daily to increase their literacy.
If your child continues to attend class virtually, library books may not be as readily available. In that case, try e-books – with and without read-aloud components. Also consider assisting your children in using the internet to research types of books they may want to read.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
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Eddie Rodriquez / Alamy Stock Photo
The pandemic transformed American life in many ways, but arguably none quite as severely as education. In spring 2020, many schools across the country closed their doors to in-person learning as scientists and politicians grappled with the dangers of COVID-19. Globally, more than 1 billion students were affected by school closures. The effects of those closures were felt not just by students, but by parents and educators too. Parents were forced to deal with tough choices: send their children to school or start an at-home learning program? Educators had to manage the transition from teaching in a classroom to teaching on a computer. Many students transitioned from a pre-pandemic routine of going to class, seeing friends, and talking with teachers to a new reality of learning exclusively through a computer or mobile device. Before the upheaval started, school districts already faced scrutiny over the quality of education they provided. Data from the Nation’s Report Card showed that math and reading proficiencies were stagnant leading up to the pandemic. Many locations with less funding per student struggled to stay above national testing averages. With more than 90% of school funding coming from state and local sources, the pandemic highlighted disparities in the nation’s education system and jeopardized the performance of students in communities that were already falling behind.
Even before the pandemic struck, national trends indicated that students’ math and reading proficiencies were at concerning levels. Data from the National Assessment of Education Progress (NEAP) show that math proficiencies leveled off for eighth-graders at around 33% and increased slightly to 41% among fourth-graders in 2019. Reading proficiency peaked in 2017 but declined in the next round of testing. In 2019, both grade levels were at or below 35% proficiency.
Yet while the national data indicates that many students struggle with math and reading, state-level statistics show that certain states have found a way to buck the national trend. To determine the states with the best public schools, researchers at HireAHelper used data from the U.S. Department of Education and the Census Bureau to generate a composite score based on the following weighted factors: NAEP reading scores (25%): the difference between the state reading score and the national average for fourth- and eighth-grade students on the NAEP exam. NAEP math scores (25%): the difference between the state math score and the national average for fourth- and eighth-grade students on the NAEP exam. Total state spending per student (10%): the total elementary-secondary per-pupil spending on instruction, support services, and other functions. Pupil-teacher ratio (20%): the number of public school students per teacher. Graduation rate (20%): the public high school four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate.
In many cases, the states with the best test scores are also the states that spend the most money per student—as is the case for Connecticut, New Jersey, Vermont, and Massachusetts. But this trend is inconsistent. New York and Alaska stand out as states that have significantly above-average funding per student, but report below-average academic results. On the other hand, Idaho and Utah have the lowest public education spending per student of all 50 states, but achieve significantly above-average scores on the NAEP. When taking all these factors into account—test scores, funding, student-teacher ratios, and graduation rates—the states with the best public education systems are disproportionately concentrated in the Northeast. Here are the states with the best public schools.
Gino's Premium Images / Alamy Stock Photo
Overall composite score: 80.8 Reading scores (difference from national average): +3.5 points Math scores (difference from national average): +5.0 points Total state spending per student: $10,397 Pupil-teacher ratio: 17.3 Graduation rate: 87%
Alex Holder / Alamy Stock Photo
Overall composite score: 80.9 Reading scores (difference from national average): +2.5 points Math scores (difference from national average): +9.0 points Total state spending per student: $13,387 Pupil-teacher ratio: 15.4 Graduation rate: 84%
Jon Bilous / Alamy Stock Photo
Overall composite score: 81.2 Reading scores (difference from national average): +3.0 points Math scores (difference from national average): +2.0 points Total state spending per student: $11,988 Pupil-teacher ratio: 14.1 Graduation rate: 87%
Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
Overall composite score: 83.6 Reading scores (difference from national average): +2.5 points Math scores (difference from national average): +1.0 points Total state spending per student: $14,614 Pupil-teacher ratio: 12.0 Graduation rate: 87%
Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
Overall composite score: 84.8 Reading scores (difference from national average): +2.5 points Math scores (difference from national average): +6.5 points Total state spending per student: $12,641 Pupil-teacher ratio: 14.8 Graduation rate: 88%
Jon Lovette / Alamy Stock Photo
Overall composite score: 85.4 Reading scores (difference from national average): +3.0 points Math scores (difference from national average): +4.0 points Total state spending per student: $16,864 Pupil-teacher ratio: 14.0 Graduation rate: 87%
robertharding / Alamy Stock Photo
Overall composite score: 85.9 Reading scores (difference from national average): +2.5 points Math scores (difference from national average): +4.0 points Total state spending per student: $12,743 Pupil-teacher ratio: 13.6 Graduation rate: 88%
Purestock / Alamy Stock Photo
Overall composite score: 86.9 Reading scores (difference from national average): +1.5 points Math scores (difference from national average): +4.0 points Total state spending per student: $14,004 Pupil-teacher ratio: 12.0 Graduation rate: 88%
Buzzshotz / Alamy Stock Photo
Overall composite score: 87.3 Reading scores (difference from national average): +3.0 points Math scores (difference from national average): +5.0 points Total state spending per student: $12,598 Pupil-teacher ratio: 14.4 Graduation rate: 90%
Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
Overall composite score: 87.4 Reading scores (difference from national average): +4.5 points Math scores (difference from national average): +2.5 points Total state spending per student: $20,315 Pupil-teacher ratio: 10.5 Graduation rate: 85%
Panther Media GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo
Overall composite score: 87.5 Reading scores (difference from national average): +5.5 points Math scores (difference from national average): +5.5 points Total state spending per student: $16,304 Pupil-teacher ratio: 12.9 Graduation rate: 82%
Steven Frame / Alamy Stock Photo
Overall composite score: 93.3 Reading scores (difference from national average): +5.5 points Math scores (difference from national average): +5.5 points Total state spending per student: $17,462 Pupil-teacher ratio: 12.2 Graduation rate: 88%
Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
Overall composite score: 94.3 Reading scores (difference from national average): +6.5 points Math scores (difference from national average): +4.0 points Total state spending per student: $21,310 Pupil-teacher ratio: 12.3 Graduation rate: 89%
Serge Racoon / Alamy Stock Photo
Overall composite score: 95.0 Reading scores (difference from national average): +11.5 points Math scores (difference from national average): +10.0 points Total state spending per student: $17,748 Pupil-teacher ratio: 13.0 Graduation rate: 88%
Purestock / Alamy Stock Photo
Overall composite score: 98.0 Reading scores (difference from national average): +8.0 points Math scores (difference from national average): +8.5 points Total state spending per student: $20,512 Pupil-teacher ratio: 12.0 Graduation rate: 91%
Parents and caregivers may need to continue in the role of education facilitator and technology specialist this fall. Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Kids can use different learning websites and apps to reinforce what they learn in school. Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images
