The Texas Education Agency recently released a report at the end of June detailing the level of engagement of Texas students during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the data in the report, more than 11% of students became disengaged during the previous term.
Experts say that while the data is compelling, there are a number of elements that must be considered before pushing the academic panic button.
Disengaging can include not showing up to virtual classes, not turning in assignments, not responding to communications (emails, phone calls, instant messenger). The numbers amount to more than 600,000 students having disengaged. This raises concern about the future of education in light of the pandemic according to the TEA.
The disruptions caused by the pandemic and absence from their peers, educators, and the classroom have clearly negatively affected the education of students.
The student engagement data newly released by TEA, which is still being updated by districts through July 16, showed that 88.72% of students were “engaged.” The agency reported that approximately 11% of students either were not engaged for some time or their school districts lost or had no contact with them.
Educator Melissa Martin of Deer Park is a career and technology teacher for the Galena Park Independent School District. She is a member of the Association of Texas Professional Educators, adviser for the Family Career and Community Leaders of America and a former advisor for the Texas Association of Future Educators. She previously was appointed to the Texas Commission on Public School Finance.
Martin believes that the shutdown of schools during the pandemic had an enormous effect on students and how they performed under the TEA's list of engagement practices.
"Shutting down school had a huge impact on both student engagement and students’ ability to learn. Most schools were unable to easily transition to an online platform as most schools were not a 1:1 technology campus," Martin told the Lone Star Standard. "Districts that were already a 1:1 campus had an advantage. However, the social isolation was very difficult on students no matter their district or socioeconomic status.
"Many teachers use collaborate learning, and that was difficult to achieve through a [computer] screen. Many students struggled emotionally with the lack of a routine and social interaction."
There were many other elements to consider while determining the effects of the shutdown on students, according to Martin.
"Fear of the virus and economic struggles at home created additional distractions for students. My students shared these concerns with me as I made efforts to keep in contact with almost 170 of my students," she said. "The lack of resources at home, lack of structure, emotional strains and different levels of parental involvement all impact the level of student engagement."
With a look at the data report compiled by the TEA, Martin believes that it is imperative that students and teachers return the classroom in the fall.
"Yes, students need to return to school in the fall, and the majority of teachers I speak to are ready to get back to work, including me," she said. "Parents should have the choice of whether or not to have their students participate in person or through distance learning."
Getting back to normal in the classroom will be a process that includes many challenges, Martin added.
"As we wait to see more state guidelines, school boards should be communicating with parents and teachers to access concerns and needs based on their own communities and grade levels," she said. "The American Pediatric Academy has taken the position that students should return to school, and I support their guidance as I also worry about the emotional and cognitive condition of our youth. We obviously need to also address the needs of teachers. Many are fearful due to health conditions or age. We need to be sensitive to their needs.
"I’m trusting that the parties who are making decisions for school reopening are taking all of this into account so an appropriate plan can be put into place."
