National Test Results Reveal Ongoing Challenges in Education Post-Pandemic

The release of national test results last month painted a sobering picture of the state of education in the United States in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the allocation of nearly $190 billion in federal pandemic relief funds to schools, not a single state achieved pre-pandemic levels in both math and reading. This stark reality underscores the long-term impact of the pandemic on education and the significant challenges educators and policymakers continue to face.

The struggles are evident at Kramer Middle School in Washington, D.C., where eighth grader Aiyden Wiggins shared his experiences with CBS News. After spending approximately 1.5 years in remote learning during the pandemic, Aiyden found it difficult to adjust to full-time in-person learning, particularly in math. His story is not unique, as many students across the country have grappled with learning gaps created by remote learning. Teachers like Mohamed Koroma, an eighth grade English Language Arts teacher at Kramer Middle School, are working tirelessly to address these gaps. Koroma emphasized the difficulty students face when they are below grade level in reading, making it challenging to engage with eighth-grade texts. "We’re still trying to fill in those gaps that they didn’t get at the lower levels," Koroma explained. "Because it’s hard to grapple with the eighth grade text if you are on a lower reading level."

The Rise of Absenteeism and Its Impact on Learning

A study released by researchers from Harvard, Stanford, and Dartmouth earlier this week shed light on another critical issue affecting schools: absenteeism. The study found a widespread increase in absenteeism, particularly in high-poverty districts, where students are already grappling with limited resources and support. This trend is deeply concerning, as consistent attendance is a cornerstone of academic success. At Kramer Middle School, the challenge of absenteeism is all too familiar. According to data from the District of Columbia Public Schools, chronic absenteeism stood at 37% for the 2023-2024 school year, down from 41% the previous year, but still alarmingly high.

Koroma, who has witnessed the impact of absenteeism firsthand, stressed the importance of getting students back into the classroom. "The biggest thing is to just get them inside the building," he said. "Once we get them in the building, learning is gonna happen." Koroma’s words highlight the foundational role of attendance in the educational process. Without consistent attendance, even the most well-intentioned interventions may fall short in addressing the learning gaps created by the pandemic.

Bright Spots in the National Landscape

While the overall picture is bleak, the study also identified some promising developments. More than 100 local school districts across the country are performing better in math and reading than they were before the pandemic. These districts offer valuable lessons in resilience and innovation, demonstrating that recovery is possible with the right strategies and support. While the public schools in Washington, D.C., are not yet among these districts, they have made notable progress. Over the past two years, the nation’s capital has ranked first in the country in terms of recovery in math and reading—a significant achievement considering its 32nd ranking in math recovery from 2019 to 2024 and fifth in reading over the same period. This improvement is a testament to the efforts of educators, administrators, and policymakers in the District of Columbia who have worked diligently to address the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Innovations in Education: A Path Forward

The turnaround at Kramer Middle School offers a compelling case study of how innovative strategies can make a difference. Principal Katreena Shelby attributes the school’s progress to a shift in approach. "I started thinking maybe I need to think about this differently," she recalled. Shelby and her team focused on creating smaller class sizes and providing students with additional support during the school day. One key innovation has been the implementation of high-impact tutoring, where trained tutors work with students in the classroom during school hours. This program has proven successful not only at Kramer Middle School but also in other districts across the country. In addition to tutoring, Washington, D.C., invested some of its pandemic relief funds in expanding its teaching workforce. The district offered $1,000 stipends to teachers who completed literacy training courses, ensuring that educators were equipped to provide targeted support to students. These investments have paid dividends, with Shelby noting that the additional support in literacy and math contributed not only to improved academic skills but also to a 20% reduction in truancy over the course of a year. "Giving kids that additional support in literacy and math didn’t just impact how we were able to grow literacy skills," Shelby explained. "We also were able to reduce truancy by 20% in one year." Perhaps even more importantly, seeing their own progress has encouraged students to stay engaged in their education.

Moving Forward: The Importance of Support and Innovation

The story of Kramer Middle School and the broader trends in education post-pandemic highlight the importance of targeted support and innovative strategies in addressing the challenges of the past few years. While the road to full recovery is long, the progress made in Washington, D.C., and other districts demonstrates that it is possible to make meaningful strides with the right approach. As educators and policymakers continue to navigate this complex landscape, the lessons learned from these success stories will be invaluable. By prioritizing student support, reducing barriers to learning, and fostering innovation, schools can help students not only recover from the setbacks of the pandemic but also thrive in the years to come.

In conclusion, the national test results serve as a reminder of the significant challenges facing U.S. education in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they also highlight the resilience and creativity of educators, administrators, and students across the country. While there is still much work to be done, the progress made in districts like Washington, D.C., offers a hopeful glimpse of what is possible when innovation and support come together to address the needs of students.