ACT scores fall to lowest in 31 years

[MarisaAnna]

Originally Posted by RamenAddict

Even if there is no lockdown, kids are sent home way more often when they are sick. There is a lot more absenteeism, which results in learning losses.

Certainly that has happened this year in the main states here. My grandkids got a second Covid dose where they were almost without symptoms and had to stay home a week. (That rule no longer applies)

But Tasmania kept Covid out almost completely until they opened up last December. They have had 186 deaths total. But it did not help their results compared to the mainland. Other factors at play, it would seem.

[kj1065]

Originally Posted by MarisaAnna

Certainly that has happened this year in the main states here. My grandkids got a second Covid dose where they were almost without symptoms and had to stay home a week. (That rule no longer applies)

But Tasmania kept Covid out almost completely until they opened up last December. They have had 186 deaths total. But it did not help their results compared to the mainland. Other factors at play, it would seem.

There are so many possibilities, but I'm wondering if anxiety has had something to do with it. Anxiety impairs learning and test performance, and we've certainly had opportunity to feel a lot of it over these past few years.

[redguard57]

Originally Posted by kj1065

There are so many possibilities, but I'm wondering if anxiety has had something to do with it. Anxiety impairs learning and test performance, and we've certainly had opportunity to feel a lot of it over these past few years.

Speaking anecdotally, I'm seeing student anxiety off the charts and the worst student preparation I've seen in my career. My older colleagues who have been around since the 90s said it's by far the worst they've ever seen.

The entire system has been dealt a serious gut punch.

[MarisaAnna]

Originally Posted by kj1065

There are so many possibilities, but I'm wondering if anxiety has had something to do with it. Anxiety impairs learning and test performance, and we've certainly had opportunity to feel a lot of it over these past few years.

Yes, could be. We had lunch with friends from Tasmania on the weekend. It was her first trip to the mainland for three years. They told us the details of their three day lockdown and seemed a lot more anxious about Covid than us. We had 100 days lockdown last year to their three but we hardly think about the virus any more.

Perhaps the families down there were anxious for longer with the effort of keeping it at bay. Which can certainly affect performance.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Right. The latest report I saw this week said the effects are world-wide.

The (4) countries I've visiting in western Europe this month are not suffering greatly from Covid EDU decline.
The societies are FAR more adapted to living with and beyond Covid. No bitter and divisive hatred experienced so far. (Unlike the USA which is highly 'on-edge', and many people falling over the edge. (Such as school children, teachers, administrators).)

It is a breath of fresh air to be within a pleasant and peaceful society for a change.

I foresee another significant USA shortfall in EDU. (And excuses will generously flow from the EDU and political spectrum)

[RetireinPA]

so they fell to the lowest point since the DoE was blown up in 1993? I can buy that.