Episode 33: Let’s Talk about Education & COVID
Engaging, challenging, and empowering parents in raising well-rounded children through combining educational research to everyday life.
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on today’s episode…
I bet you’ve heard about the impact COVID has had on kids more than once these last few years. The question is, what can YOU do to help your child? Dr. Cagle shares findings on the academic, emotional, social, and spiritual impact ranging from preschool all the way to higher education– in all academic spectrums. Additionally, she provides two tactics you should apply in your home ASAP. You won’t want to miss this episode!
insights
Here are some of the things we’re learning regarding the impact of COVID and children in preschool through college in various academic spectrums:
Preschool: Director of a Preschool
Seeing an increase in speech delays in the incoming preschoolers
Pre-K repeaters
Kindergarten: Charter School Kinder Teacher
“In my Kinder class, I saw many students struggle with their social and emotional needs. The past two years, I noticed an increase in students entering the classroom academically low… because many of them did not have any prior exposure.”
Grades 1-12 Academic, Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Research
Academically: grades 3-8 “gaps increased by roughly 20% in math and 15% in reading” (Kuhfeld, Soland, & Lewis, 2022, p. 8).
Emotionally & Socially: “The COVID-19 pandemic may worsen existing mental health problems and lead to more cases among children and adolescents because of the unique combination of the public health crisis, social isolation, and economic recession” (Golberstein, Wen, & Miller, 2020).
Spiritually: regular church attendance for adults 18+ has declined during COVID-19. (Institute for Family Studies)
2019: 34% reported going 1 or 2x per month… 2021: 28% reported going 1 or 2x per month
2019: 50% reported never or seldomly attending… 2021: 57% reported never or seldomly attending
Private School Research– The Association of Christian Schools International (ASCI)
According to a ACSI’s December 2020 report, Christian Schools and COVID-19:
14.6% of schools reported to be considering the expansion of distance learning option in some way.
33.8% of schools experienced enrollment increases between Fall 2019 and Fall 2020
Higher Education– National Student Clearinghouse Research Center
Enrollment Changes:
Spring 2018: enrollment down 1.3%... Spring 2022: enrollment down 4.1%
Hearing these findings can be daunting for you as a parent and you may be thinking, “Where do I begin?” “Is my child included in those that are behind?” “If so, what can I do to help my child?”
I want to propose two tactics for you to support your child, regardless of the COVID impact they’ve experienced:
Talk to them.
You may think your home wasn’t very affected… that your family continued with regular business… but you can’t assume your child wasn’t impacted.
Ask specific questions. About math, reading, their friends, social media, if they’re worried, anxious, scared, etc.
Be proactive.
Send an introductory email to the teacher
Be available– to your child and the teacher
Seek help– tutoring, coaches, family members, pastors, etc.
If you haven’t signed up for my Cues + News, I highly encourage you to do so. These are weekly emails (never any spam!) to give you a midweek giddy up. I always share a life lesson I learned, generally after a #momfail. Additionally, you’ll be the first to hear of upcoming news– and I’ve got a semester packed with exciting dates! Head over to drkellycagle.com to sign up!
