Low Reading and Math Score After COVID-19

Low Reading and Math Score post Covid19

by Daniel Rodriguez 

Civic Engagement:

The American Psychological Association says Civic Engagement is when "individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern". Another strong definition by Youth.gov states "it's working to make a difference in the civic life of one’s community and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes". These definitions are important to keep in mind as my blog will discuss the problem with youth explained through mental health. My definition is simple, its to engage with one's community to try to bring a positive change.

 

 

The issue:

Around June 2023 I remember listening to a conversation on NPR with Host Debbie Elliott and National Center for Education Statistics Commissioner, Peggy Carr about the declining math and reading scores for students.

You can find the transcript here but the biggest takeaway was the continuing decline even after COVID-19 ended. Students are coming back with poorer mental health, stronger bullying and a less desire to attend school.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress reports average Math and Reading Score lowered in 2022 undoing a lot of progress since the 90s. This handy graph illustrates the steady decline Post COVID-19

 

 

Interviews:

 I asked my cousin who wishes to be nameless about her younger brother in high school and sister in middle school. She described the COVID-19 Period as “depressing”. Her younger brother never really recovered post COVID-19 and spent his time on video games. Her sister on the other hand is much younger but has a stronger social circle that encourages her reading. The head of her bed is a library and spends birthday money on paperbacks, this encourages her to take a creative writing class. 

Her statement: “try to be busy with something fun instead of staying alone.”

I got the chance to talk to her brother only for a little bit and recently he did improve, eventually finding math his calling but he says he's more tired frequently after the pandemic. her younger sister survived with healthy outlets and a strong social circle. I asked him if he ever read for fun and at first he said he enjoys it, not so much now but he encourages her younger sister to read.

Why does it matter to me:

I have my problems with the educational system but the one thing it provides is that it's the only institution that promotes reading and literacy. The world has provided a lot of alternatives to literature over the years but I think reading teaches you some discipline and agency to control what you enjoy and not. With social media tailoring posts for you so there's no need for people to pick and choose what they enjoy.

Work Cited

NAEP. (n.d.). NAEP long-term trend assessment results:reading and Mathematics. The Nation’s Report Card. https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/ltt/?age=9 

Elliott, D. (2023, June 22). U.S. reading and math scores drop to their lowest levels in decades. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2023/06/22/1183653578/u-s-reading-and-math-scores-drop-to-their-lowest-levels-in-decades