After raising 5 children, my wife and I never imagined that we would again experience the bittersweet beginning of a school year and the ambivalent feelings about the coming peace and quiet. However, the pandemic brought a surprising year-plus of us hosting school for a kindergartener (pictured) and a third grader. On Tuesday these two will advance to their next levels—in person once again.
It seems to me that our at-home school kids did well academically—possibly even better at a distance than in class. But they will do well for overall development by getting back in touch with their peers and teachers…no doubt.
Unfortunately, based on Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, the disruption in State-wide education caused by the pandemic caused an alarming downturn in students meeting their grade standards, particularly in math and science.* The hit on math education (relative to reading) extended nation-wide as graphically illustrated in this August 15th post by The 74. Alarming!
Let’s hope that our students and teachers can withstand the Delta and newer Covid-19 variants until vaccines become available for all school age children. Now is the time to go full STEAM ahead (not overlooking “arts” in the quest for more science, engineering and math).
*See this 8/27/21 report by MPR News: MN state test scores reveal deep impact to child learning during pandemic