CT Students Lagging From Pandemic, But Catching Up: Officials

VERNON, CT — At a visit to Skinner Road School in Vernon Thursday, Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene Russell said that, perhaps more than ever, education officials at the state and local levels were looking forward to the new school year and more consistent attendance that is key to students getting back to where they were before the coronavirus pandemic.

"As the students return, we are committed to chart a path forward toward equitable acceleration and academic recovery," she said. "Being present in school matters and the district's are showing signs of recovery."

The Connecticut Department of Education Thursday released results from 2021-22 state assessments that show signs of learning acceleration and academic recovery, but overall student achievement still lags in terms of pre-pandemic levels.

The state's performance index, what officials consider the best measure of overall average achievement in a content area shows that, while achievement was increasing prior to the pandemic, the statistics from the 2021-22 school year show performance levels below pre-pandemic years. The levels were true for both high-needs students (like low-income, English learners and students with disabilities) and those without high needs, state officials said.

The index levels reflect declines in student proficiency of six to eight percentage points in English language arts and about four percentage points in science, officials said.

With students back in the classrooms, academic growth has been "encouraging" but, related to pandemic inconsistencies, students are still lagging.

The area that needs the most improvement is middle school math, according to Ajit Gopalakrishnan, the state education department's chief performance officer.

That's not to say some school systems mobilized to counteract what was transpiring. Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary said a two-year plan was quickly put into place to combat the pandemic.

"We're still feeling the ramifications, but we also have been exceeding expectations," he said.

For one thing, Vernon stressed getting back to in-person learning as soon as possible, he said.

Vernon also added interventionists and instructional coaches Macary said.

"The administrators did a fantastic job and the students, parents, faculty and staff worked hard through the pandemic," Macary added.

"It all makes me proud to be in Vernon," Mayor Daniel Champagne said.

It's about spending state and federal virus recovery subsidies wisely, Macary and East Hartford Superintendent Nate Quensel said.

"It's using funding to close the equity gap ... It's mindset, educators coming together," Quensel said while adding state and local officials working together has been key.

The complete performance index report is available on the Connecticut Department of Education website.