Learning Loss Solutions

According to Hamilton et al., students experienced noticeable learning loss during the COVID-19 lockdowns due to interruptions in instruction, lack of access to technology, and parents' inability to provide adequate support. To help mitigate this learning loss, schools should focus on implementing innovative strategies that allow for improved student engagement and personalized instruction (Cheng). Additionally, schools should prioritize providing students with equitable access to technology and resources that support their learning needs. Schools must also collaborate with families and community partners to ensure all students receive the necessary supports for learning success.

The Issue of Learning Loss

As Sarah Sparks points out, the issue of learning loss is a crucial one to understand in the post-COVID world of education. Sparks notes, for instance, how low-income students and those with disabilities have been hit the hardest in the perfect storm of education challenges over the last few years (4). The COVID lockdowns essentially derailed any progress made towards helping underprivileged students and set educators back significantly. The effect over the lockdowns has not been pretty: remote learning and repeated outbreaks and quarantines have led more students to miss school and fall behind in classesnone of which bodes well for graduation rates (Sparks 4). Without students graduating, the prospects of obtaining a college-level education diminishes, and so too do career prospects. Learning loss has a whole host of knock-on effects that can seriously disrupt society as a whole.

Lack of access to educational resources may lead to a decrease in overall academic performance and an increased knowledge gap between those who had access to these resources and those who did not. Being away from school, students have limited opportunities to interact with their peers, leading to feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Families may experience financial strain as they struggle to make ends meet without parents attending their jobs due to lockdowns. Students may miss out on vital extracurricular activities, such as sports, clubs, and school trips which are important for their overall development. With limited learning opportunities, students may become less confident and feel that their academic performance is deteriorating, resulting in low self-esteem and potentially poor mental health.

What Approach for High Schools?

There are many steps high schools can take to address this important issue. For instance, Hamilton et al. note that schools have planned to address academic disparities as well as the social and emotional health issues that students will likely have upon their return to in-class sessions. These are both good first stepsbut more will need to be done. That is why Cheng argues that schools should use the tools of distance learning to pull students up and overcome learning loss. For instance, Cheng recommends that schools issue online surveys to help teachers and learners ask the right questions and get the right answers.

Another idea of Cheng is for teachers to incorporate some kind of class chat into the learning environment, such as an online chat platform, to facilitate communication and interaction. Online chat platforms can be a great way for students to stay connected and collaborate on their studies...…their academic progress are numerous. It helps build trust between teachers and students, which can lead to better communication and understanding of learning needs. It can also reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, as students feel more comfortable speaking up about their challenges and seeking help when needed. Additionally, partnering with community organizations can provide students with additional resources that can help them succeed, such as mental health counseling, job training, and food assistance. This can increase motivation, engagement, and academic success in the long run.

Conclusion

Sparks says it will be a long recovery, noting the declining graduation rates in high schools across the country. However, schools can make up lost ground in the coming years. They first need to admit that the problem is real and that they play a part in that problem. High schools have a lot of work to do and bear a lot of the responsibility for the learning loss that resulted from COVID lockdowns. But by implementing new technologies and advanced learning techniques, schools can accelerate student learning and close the achievement gap. Additionally, providing additional support services like tutoring, after-school activities, and mental health services can help students catch up and reach their academic goals. Schools should also prioritize meaningful professional development for teachers, so they can build the skills and knowledge necessary to create effective, engaging, and equitable learning environments for their students. They should promote communication using online chats, community leadership by getting members of the community to be mentors for learners. They should get parents involved and everyone on the same…