THE EDUCATION DALY

Five Things We Learned This School Year

The class of 2024 probably hates us, for starters.

TIM DALY

MAY 22, 2024

In the article "Five Things We Learned This School Year," Tim Daly reflects on significant lessons from the 2023-2024 academic year, highlighting challenges and progress in education. Here are the key takeaways:

### Lesson #1: We Owe the High School Class of 2024 an Apology
The class of 2024 faced numerous hardships throughout their educational journey. Born in 2006, they grew up with smartphones, missed critical middle school experiences due to COVID-19, and dealt with the chaos of remote learning during their freshman year of high school. Their college application process was further complicated by the malfunctioning FAFSA system, described as a "bureaucratic mess" by the New York Times. Daly expresses a collective apology from the adult population, acknowledging these students' tough experiences and emphasizing the need for better support in the future.

### Lesson #2: Demographic Realities Can't Be Ignored Forever
School enrollments are declining due to lower birth rates and the residual effects of the pandemic. While some expected student numbers to rebound, only 13 states are projected to see enrollment increases by 2031. Urban areas, like Chicago, have seen significant drops in student numbers without corresponding school closures, leading to underutilized, expensive-to-maintain schools. Daly highlights the political sensitivity around school closures and the need for proactive planning to support affected communities.

### Lesson #3: Standardized Tests Are Making a Comeback
After a period where many colleges went test-optional, COVID-19 accelerated this trend. However, recent shifts have seen elite universities reinstating test requirements. Proponents argue that standardized tests help identify talented students from lower-income backgrounds who might otherwise be overlooked, and they serve as a counterbalance to grade inflation. Daly notes that standardized tests are crucial for assessing educational recovery post-pandemic and for making informed admissions decisions.

### Lesson #4: Efforts to Curb Student Absenteeism Show Promise
Chronic absenteeism, exacerbated by the pandemic, has been a major concern. However, there has been progress. For example, Oakland Unified School District reduced its chronic absenteeism rate from 61% to about 31% in one year. New Trier High School also saw a significant reduction by implementing stricter policies. Massachusetts reported a decrease in absenteeism from 24.5% to 19.6%. Daly emphasizes that with continued effort, absenteeism can be effectively addressed.

### Lesson #5: The Science of Reading Movement Triumphs
Emily Hanford’s podcast, "Sold a Story," critiqued flawed literacy strategies, particularly those promoted by Lucy Calkins. Calkins’ response included a curriculum overhaul, but she was eventually pushed out of Teachers College. This upheaval led to a significant decline in revenues for Heinemann, the publisher of Calkins' books. Daly notes that the shift towards evidence-based reading instruction is crucial, but warns against overcorrecting towards an all-phonics approach without considering a balanced literacy strategy.

### Conclusion
Daly concludes by encouraging educators to enjoy the summer break, highlighting the importance of rest and rejuvenation. He reflects on the ongoing challenges and progress in education, urging continued attention to these critical issues.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the past school year's significant developments and underscores the importance of adapting and improving educational practices to better support students and educators alike.

Original Article

Source: Daly, T. (2024, May 22). Five Things We Learned This School Year. The Education Daly. Retrieved from https://www.educationdaly.com/five-things-we-learned-this-school-year

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com