Loss of Learning

Since 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a drastic decrease in academic achievement for students across the country. Both educationally and emotionally, over half of K-12 public school teachers admit that students have suffered greatly since the beginning of the pandemic. According to the Department of Education, only 26% of 8th graders are proficient in math compared to 34% proficiency of 8th graders in 2019. In addition, only 33% of fourth graders have achieved proficiency in math-- another dramatic decrease in performance. Experts in the education field believe that this is due to many factors that have resulted from the pandemic. Illness, isolation, remote learning, and anxiety are some of the leading issues students continue to face.

Among those affected, high-poverty areas have suffered the most in terms of educational decline. Sean Reardon, an education professor at Stanford states, “When you have a massive crisis, the worst effects end up being felt by the people with the least resources.” In some of the poorest communities such as that of Memphis, Tennessee, students lost over a year’s worth of progress in math and 70% of a year’s worth of progress in reading. Poverty and time spent learning remotely have proven to be two of the leading factors in students’ loss of learning.

To address these mounting issues, schools have put some strategies into effect. Many schools have added staff such as teacher’s aides to their classrooms, offered tutoring options, and created summer programs for student enrichment. Additionally, most schools have invested in technology in order to make remote learning as effective as possible. Nationally, school systems have spent over $190 million dollars in federal aid to promote academic recovery for students. Still, many educators feel these modifications are insufficient to meet the needs of struggling students, especially in economically disadvantaged school districts. Though adjustments have been made to minimize the effects of the pandemic, schools still struggle to fill positions and keep students engaged in the classroom.

Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

Sources:

https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/education-leaders-advise-how-to-aid-pandemic-learning-loss-159290949539

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/30/learning-loss-from-virtual-school-due-to-covid-is-significant-.html
 
https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2022-10-28/massive-learning-setbacks-show-covids-sweeping-toll-on-kids#:~:text=The%20analysis%20found%20the%20average,double%20those%20amounts%2C%20or%20worse.

An Update on Reopening Chicago Schools

On March 1st, after weeks of discussion and debate between the Chicago Public Schools, Lori Lightfoot, and the Chicago Teachers’ Union, elementary schools reopened in the city for opt-in in-person learning. The last wave of students, those in 6th to 8th grade, was welcomed back into schools on March 8th. Though the return to in-person learning has not gone as well as many CPS administrators had hoped, they are still confident that a return to normalcy is closer than ever.

Results from CPS data that were released in mid-March did not meet early expectations. Though in-person learning was reinstated, only 49,281 students that were given the in-person option returned to schools, leaving a total in-person attendance of 21%. This was about 10,000 students less than administrators predicted. To add to the negative effects, 1 in 3 of the in-person students were taught by remote teachers, according to a CPAA survey taken by 195 of the 415 elementary schools. It should also be noted that the students that returned to in-person learning and had teachers in the classroom were skewed heavily towards white students and students living in Chicago’s north and northwest neighborhoods.

Current discussions between CPS and the CTU have revolved around the reopening of CPS high schools. Many CPS administrators have been pushing for an April 19th reopening to match the start of the last quarter of the school year, which they announced officially on March 16th. However, the CTU made a statement that they have not been a part of the high school reopening discussion as desired, and that there are many issues left to be addressed, including information about vaccine availability for school staff and the current amount of elementary students back in school. It was later revealed that the president of the CTU, Jesse Sharkey, had seen the CPS announcement before it was released, and CPS made the edits she had suggested. This momentary win for CPS didn’t last too long though, as earlier this week they misplaced a reported 6,000 vaccine doses. Many teachers in the CTU are even afraid to reveal their vaccination status, in fear of losing their CPS accommodations that protect their loved ones.

It’s clear that the school system in Chicago has always been politically charged, but perhaps more so than ever during the pandemic. Parents and teachers are both suffering the effects of extended remote and hybrid learning periods, especially in minority communities. To add to the uncertainty, as of today, the CDC still has not determined fully whether or not any of the vaccines available offer complete protection against virus transmission to the unvaccinated. The solution to this complex and gargantuan problem may be murky, but at the very least, both sides should make strides toward honesty and transparency sooner rather than later.

Nate Hall, Tutoring Coordinator
nate@testprepchicago.com
312-848-1266

CPS Announces Fully Remote Return to School Through 11/6

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Janice Jackson announced on Wednesday (8/5) that CPS would complete at least the first quarter of the school year (through 11/6) online. This comes a few weeks after CPS announced a possible hybrid learning plan where students would attend school for at least two days a week. However, as COVID-19 cases have begun to rise in Chicago again, Jackson said they were “not comfortable with the state of the pandemic and the national response,” and that they intended to revisit their hybrid model when it felt safe enough to do so.

The announcement also came a short two days after the Chicago Teachers Union made plans to potentially call its House of Delegates together to vote on a possible strike. However, Mayor Lightfoot contended the news of the CTU did not influence the city’s decision to go fully remote stating, “As we have now repeatedly said about every decision we’ve made in the context of this pandemic, we have to be guided by the science, period.”

This decision also came to light after weeks of CPS sending surveys and holding town halls to get the general consensus of the needs of the many families who will be impacted by moving to a remote learning model. For families of essential workers as well as other families who will not be able to stay home with their kids, the City of Chicago is looking into providing free childcare opportunities. Mayor Lightfoot also mentioned that free school meals would be offered around the city just as they were in the spring. CPS will also provide devices as well as free internet access for any family who needs them. 

In addition, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced plans to move forward with reopening Chicago Catholic and parochial schools despite CPS’s announcement to go fully remote for the first quarter, stating that it is in the “best interests of children.” They will offer an e-learning component for students who want to opt-out, and more information for that will be released in the coming weeks.

CPS has not yet released any information regarding making up the NWEA MAP test for students testing into Academic Centers and Selective Enrollment high schools. Moreover, they haven’t released information on SEHS testing, and if the pandemic will affect these procedures in any way. Test Prep Chicago will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as CPS makes it available. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of our website’s homepage to receive email updates about selective enrollment admissions in Chicago.

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

Test Prep Chicago’s Online Tutoring FAQs

In light of COVID-19 concerns, Test Prep Chicago transitioned completely online on March 18th. While the city of Chicago remains on lockdown, we will continue to operate remotely for the safety of our students and staff. Below are frequently asked questions about our online tutoring.

What kind of online tutoring are you currently offering?

We can offer any test prep or subject-matter tutoring you need from 4th to 12th grade. Test Prep tutoring includes tutoring for the NWEA MAP, SEHS, HSPT, ISEE, Academic Center Entrance Exam, SAT, and ACT. In addition, we also offer tutoring for math placement tests like the Algebra Exit Exam.

With what program are you operating your online sessions? Can we use Zoom?

Test Prep Chicago is currently using Vedamo. Unlike Zoom, Vedamo is a platform specifically dedicated to remote tutoring and education, so it has more features available both to our students and tutors. Additionally, it’s provided at no additional cost to families.

What features can you access in Vedamo?

Like other video-chat platforms, Vedamo allows students and tutors to see and speak to one another through a video chat. Unlike other platforms, Vedamo has a digital whiteboard that also allows us to upload our material. During the session, the instructor and the student can write directly on the whiteboard, working through our custom material. 

How does a Test Prep tutoring session work now that it’s online?

The set-up of the session isn’t all that different from an in-person tutoring session once it gets going; the main difference is in the time leading up to tutoring. A day or two before the session, our tutor will send a PDF of what the student and tutor will work through during the session. This way, our students will have a paper copy if they’d prefer to write answers down rather than work through them on the computer, and they have a chance to briefly look over the material first if they’d like.

About 10 minutes before the session begins, the tutor will send a link to their virtual classroom. Once the student clicks the link, he or she is immediately logged into the session. Once the session begins, the tutor and student will work through the material as usual with their digital whiteboard. In addition (depending on which test the student is preparing for), after the session, the tutor will send an email link with online homework for the student to do in between sessions.

How does a Subject-Matter Tutoring session work now that it’s online?

Students will need to send a PDF version of what they’re working on with the tutor so the tutor can upload it to our platform before the session. Then, 10 minutes before the session, the students will receive a link from the tutor to log into the virtual classroom. Once in the virtual classroom, the session will proceed as usual as they work through the material on our digital whiteboard. After the session, the tutor can send supplemental material for homework if the student would like a little extra practice in between sessions. 

Is Online Tutoring as Effective as In-person Tutoring?

Since this is new for Test Prep Chicago, we don’t yet have any data to show one way or another. However, there is no reason to believe it’s less effective given the same kind of one-on-one, personalized nature of the session as well as the fact that we are continuing to utilize our custom material. 

Does Online Tutoring Cost the Same? Can I Get a Discount?

Yes. It’s the same price for online tutoring as it is for in-person. Our company is actually paying more to use the service to put everything online at no extra cost to our customers. Lastly, since we are a small business that has been greatly affected by the pandemic, we cannot offer any discounts at this time.

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

Tips for Remote Learning

Since Chicago Schools will be closed through at least April 30th due to COVID-19 concerns, CPS announced a remote learning plan for schools to begin on April 13th (for more information, see our previous blog post). While students will have the opportunity to continue learning, that doesn’t mean it won’t be without a challenge.  

Below are Test Prep Chicago’s tips for optimizing your student’s remote learning.

1.       Create the most ideal learning space possible.

While this may be difficult with the whole family all home at once, finding a quiet space in your home for your student to do his or her work will help your student to maintain focus, and be engaged in their remote learning.

2.       Make sure your student turns off his or her phone or other electronic devices before logging in to learn.

Just like in school, students should turn off any other electronic devices that may distract them from schooling.

3.       Use applications or browser extensions to help maintain focus.

Browser extensions like StayFocused for Chrome is a free extension to your browser which limits accessibility to other websites that may be distracting during work time. In addition, if your student is completing remote work on a phone or tablet, there are also similar apps available.

4.       Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

We’re all collectively becoming a bit more tech-savvy out of necessity, but these skills don’t come easily to everyone. It’s okay to reach out to your student’s school, etc. to ask for help on how to set up the necessary programs to facilitate remote learning for your student.

5.       Don’t be too hard on your student (or yourself).

This is a tough time for everyone. In addition to moving work and school online, many families are also worried about the safety of their loved ones. Don’t be too hard on yourself or your students as you navigate how best remote learning fits into your family.

In addition to schools transitioning online, Test Prep Chicago is now online as well to help supplement your student’s learning with a private tutor. We can also help your students work to prepare for placement tests or get a jump-start on standardized tests in the fall. To set up private tutoring, email us at info@testprepchicago.com.

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

Chicago Public Schools to Deliver 100,000 Computers to Students, Illinois Schools Closed Through 4/30

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced remote learning plans on Monday, March 30th, which will begin on April 13th after CPS’s scheduled spring break. As a part of their plans, CPS will deliver approximately 100,000 laptops, Chromebooks, and iPads to students most in need. Schools plan to continue with remote learning through at least April 30th after Governor Pritzker announced yesterday, March 31st, that stay-at-home orders as well as school closures throughout the state (both public and private) were extended through the entire month of April. 

Families of CPS should expect more detailed information from their individual schools by April 6th which will entail what their school’s remote learning plan will look like. CPS also intends to provide non-digital learning materials to help further enrich students’ learning outside of the classroom. All remote learning material is included in the state’s $75 million Board of Education coronavirus budget approved last week.

CPS’s new remote learning plans are more detailed than their previous enrichment packets with which they were provided before schools shut their doors on March 17th. The new plans outline remote office hours for teachers to provide for students as well as daily lessons. According to CPS, the district will release two weeks of activities at a time. Schools are also welcomed to add to these. In addition, though the district and schools certainly expect students to participate in the planned activities and classwork, remote learning cannot be counted against them in their final grades.

Furthermore, even though the NWEA MAP tests are canceled, Test Prep Chicago will continue to run its classes online for further enrichment for students and families who are interested. The classes are being streamed live through an educational platform, Vedamo, which allows students to interact with their instructors in real-time as well as use a digital whiteboard to help further grasp the material.

While CPS still hasn’t released more information about the NWEA MAP and Selective Enrollment testing, Test Prep Chicago will continue to keep families updated as the situation progresses. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter on our homepage, testprepchicago.com, to receive the most current information.

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266