Education data raises fears of lost generation – Orange County Register

The latest data from the California Department of Education confirms what education officials across the nation have warned about during the nearly two-year shutdown related to COVID-19: Public school students — especially students poor and minorities – are increasingly lagging behind in learning. Some researchers even fear a “missing generation of students”.

The Department found that only 49% of students met or exceeded the state standard for English Language Arts. Less than 34% met or exceeded math standards. These numbers represent a significant drop from the last school year before the pandemic hit. State officials’ excuses – that only a quarter of students take the test this year – do not reassure them.

This is a total disaster, especially when one looks at the detailed data. In Riverside County, only 39% of students met the English language standard and less than 21% met the math standard. The numbers are 61% and 43% in relatively high-scoring Orange County, and 48% and 31% in Los Angeles County, respectively.

In fact, during the 2020-2021 school year, dropout rates skyrocketed and graduation rates continued to decline. Consider that only 67% of English learners graduate in four years – and only 72.5% of black students do. These are failure numbers for every type of student. They are shameful in such a well-funded school system.

Director of Public Education Tony Thurmond at least acknowledged the gravity of the situation: “Statewide performance data from last year confirm what we’ve heard from school districts and county offices. throughout the year. Specifically, the challenges facing students and educators during the pandemic are multidimensional and impact learning and mental health.”

However, Thurmond, a close ally of teachers’ unions, has offered the same old solution: spend more public money on the school system, even though more than 42 percent of the state budget goes to education. K-14. Honestly, the needs of the state’s students continue to play a second role to the needs of the public school workforce. That has become evident during the pandemic.

Teachers’ unions have resisted a quick return to the classroom. They made bold financial demands with school districts before sending teachers back into the classroom. While private and charter schools have done the yeoman’s job in minimizing academic disruption, public schools have often had to drag their feet and struggle to deliver meaningful distance learning. .

It was the source of growing parental frustration, which had boiled over in controversial school board meetings around the country. However, despite all the evidence pointing to adverse effects on student health and achievement, public school institutions continue to follow the old path by resisting face-to-face instruction instead of trying to make every effort to ensure that the needs of the student are met.

For example, teachers in the Oakland Unified School District last week closed 12 schools as part of a campaign for better COVID protection. Tails wagging – the requests of those working for these districts seem to take precedence over the students they have to serve.

California’s data are consistent with reports from other states. The answer is more school choice, so parents can choose the best options to help keep their child on track. As always, competition leads to innovation – and potentially aligning with the most effective pandemic-related education strategies.