COVID-19 Summer Slide

COVID 19 made for a chaotic spring semester, with billions of children out of school all over the world. One of the most alarming effects of COVID 19 is the effect on subsequent school years. Since transitioning to distance learning and decreased social interaction, students are experiencing a significant decline in learning and retention due to school closures. Every summer student experiences what researchers call “summer slide.” According to a study done by the Collaborative for Student Growth, COVID-19 closures will amplify this summer slide and adversely affect student achievement for years to come. 

Learning loss affects every student in different ways, however, the predictions are learning loss is more significant in older students. Research indicates that steeper decline in math compared to reading. There is also a concern regarding learning gaps as students advance to the next grade level without mastering this semester's content. In addition, schools are not sure what next school year will look like regarding reopening which will amplify the gaps. 

Providing students with effective support this summer is imperative to alleviate the named “COVID-19 Slide”. Having students engage in enrichment programs and subject specific courses will help with learning loss. Assisting children in learning loss over the summer can be daunting but we are here to help. Below are three vital steps to assuring your student gets ahead and stays ahead this summer. 

Assess Student Needs 

Figuring out the individual needs for a student is imperative in assisting them over the summer with their academic needs. Each student is different and their content needs to be specific for them. As you start to devise an action plan for your student, think about what classes they struggled with, what classes they may need to brush up on before entering into middle or high school, and what difficult courses they will be taking next semester. Talk to your students, teachers and find the trend. 

Devise an Action Plan 

Once you have assessed what the student needs academically, come up with a plan for the summer. During the summer, students do not mimic the structure of school, sleep schedules and habits. To help with the lack of structure, devise an action plan with specific schedules and goals to keep the student on track. Utilize the S.M.A.R.T goal framework to help students create self improvement. 

Find Support 

COVID-19 has been difficult for all of us, there is no shame in asking experts for help to get your student ahead and stay ahead. Whether you are looking for academic remediation and enrichment over the summer to combat the “summer slide” or other supplementary services like standardized test prep, we are here to help! Head over to our services page or contact us for more information.

College Admission Changes

You are getting ready to go into your senior year of high school….you have your college picked out and then realize you need the dreaded SAT and ACT scores to apply. You begin to sweat and panic that you now have to sign up and take the exam. You ask yourself...how am I supposed to take this test during a pandemic? Think again! Several universities are beginning to wave their requirement for 2021 to not include SAT and ACT scores. 

Although not all universities are waving this requirement just yet, several are and you should be on the lookout for your school. The schools who are forgoing these exams feel that they cannot comprehend what students and families are enduring during this pandemic and the last things students should be concerned about are standardized tests. This is a strange time for everyone and being flexible and changing the way of doing things is the only way we are all going to get through this together. This will reduce a great deal of stress not only on the students but the families. They will not have to worry about the cost of the exam as well as being able to find a time slot to complete the exam from home. 

In addition to the anxiety of having to take the exam, there are less opportunities to schedule the exam due to the Coronavirus. If you are lucky enough to find an open slot, most places are allowing you to take the test from home. However, this can pose other challenges, with technical issues, lack of quiet space or any other potential issues that may arise while being home. 

Each college is in the position of making their own decision regarding the requirements of waving the SAT/ACT scores to be accepted.  Read this article for additional information. 

https://www.nytimes.com/article/sat-act-test-optional-colleges-coronavirus.html

Disagreements During COVID 19

Our “new normal” has moved from school, work and exercise class schedule to spending the majority of our time indoors. We are trying to find new ways to balance work, play and study. During this time, we are trying to navigate everyone working from home. Ultimately, this is going to lead to disagreements. Although no one likes disagreements, this may be a way for us to use our communication skills and become closer with each other. 

Aim for Win-Win

During a disagreement try not to focus on “winning” the conversation and look at a solution for everyone involved. In order to have a win-win situation, avoid harsh words or using someone’s sensitivities against them. When being caught up in the moment this can be easy to do. Everyone needs to be heard and that their thoughts and opinions matter. 

Have a Conversation about Roles in the House

Things have been shifting in all aspects of the world lately and that may include responsibilities inside the home. Chores that may have once been done by someone is now being completed by another person. Resentment and anger can arise when we feel someone is not pulling their weight in the home. To ensure clear roles, have a conversation with everyone.  Allow the children to have an input in what chores they would like to do. By reworking the responsibilities, it will allow structure in the home. 

Use I Statements 

When having a conversation about someone’s feelings using I statements can be very helpful. If a child is telling you that they are upset you can encourage them to say “I feel hurt because…” Using these statements reduces defensiveness from the other party and allows for better understanding. While this may seem simple, changing your language can reduce unnecessary tension. 

Options

Giving children options encourages the behavior you want but allows them to have a sense of control. This will show your child value and to choose responsibly in the future. Recently, their access to several choices has been limited due to the outside world. However, that gives us the chance to continue to give them choices. Consistency with choices is crucial and the key is to give your child multiple “correct” options to choose from. Thus, overriding the self-determination gene that tends to kick in during adolescence.