Submitted by: Marjorie McPeak
There have been many different challenges for both families and schools during the Pandemic and combating a crisis in Literacy is one of them.
The Literacy Crisis did not start with the Pandemic. In 2019 results from national and international testing and exams showed stagnate or declining American performance in reading as well as a widening gap between high and low performers. The Pandemic has compounded this issue and recently already low-achieving schools have fallen farther behind with the potential of widening the pre-existing achievement gap between the rich and the poor and the high and low performers. Future testing will further identify this possible problem.
The Literacy Crisis did not start with the Pandemic. In 2019 results from national and international testing and exams showed stagnate or declining American performance in reading as well as a widening gap between high and low performers. The Pandemic has compounded this issue and recently already low-achieving schools have fallen farther behind with the potential of widening the pre-existing achievement gap between the rich and the poor and the high and low performers. Future testing will further identify this possible problem.
Schools have often struggled to work between in-class and distance learning. Students receiving instruction online did not receive the group interaction when they needed it and thus reading skills have often worsened over time. This was particularly true in homes where time or ability prevented families from interaction, especially with reading. The greatest impact on earliest Literacy has been on the youngest learners in their formative years.
Teachers in all subject areas were often challenged by needing to conduct in-class activities while providing distance learning for those students who were at home. Classroom educational games, directed reading, student interaction and class discussion are all parts of encouraging Literacy. These important factors have been missing for the distance learners.
Now that more normal conditions are beginning to return teachers and schools are working to encourage students of all ages in their learning. At home there is still much that parents can do, especially by reading with and to young children and by encouraging discussions of their own reading among older students. And very important, Libraries are now open again and are excellent places for all ages in promoting Literacy.
Teachers in all subject areas were often challenged by needing to conduct in-class activities while providing distance learning for those students who were at home. Classroom educational games, directed reading, student interaction and class discussion are all parts of encouraging Literacy. These important factors have been missing for the distance learners.
Now that more normal conditions are beginning to return teachers and schools are working to encourage students of all ages in their learning. At home there is still much that parents can do, especially by reading with and to young children and by encouraging discussions of their own reading among older students. And very important, Libraries are now open again and are excellent places for all ages in promoting Literacy.