From declines in reading and math proficiency to an alarming surge in chronic absenteeism, the ongoing repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic on student learning pose a significant threat to the future of our students, particularly those who were already behind in their learning before the onset of the pandemic. That’s why we recently joined with the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership (MACP) to host a discussion with state leaders about how to improve our K-12 education system and accelerate student learning while bolstering our economic competitiveness.

We first raised the alarm on the urgency of this issue in our 2020 report, “Choosing a Return to Better: Moving Beyond Normal in the Commonwealth’s Return to School and Learning.” This initial report aimed to identify strategies to support students through the pandemic and ensure enhanced access to remote learning.

Building upon the 2020 report, MBAE and MACP recently convened at the UMass Club to delve deeper into the impact of learning loss and propose actionable recommendations and strategies for state leaders and policymakers:

• Empowering Our Youth: Gov. Kim Driscoll’s opening remarks underscored the critical importance of preparing and supporting schools while ensuring students have access to essential educational tools and resources. She highlighted the administration’s commitment to investments in evidence-based literacy programs, early college initiatives, innovative career pathways, and more.
• Enhancing Support for Students: Ed Lambert, Executive Director of MBAE, presented recommendations from the new paper, including greatly expanded use of high-dosage tutoring, adoption of science-based literacy instruction, more flexible seat-time requirements that promote innovative learning models, expanding college and career pathways, closing digital equity gaps, and more. These recommendations aim to create a strong platform for urgent action by state and district, leaders, particularly in 2024 and beyond.
• Investing in Teacher Support: Karen Hawley Miles, CEO of Education Resource Strategies, highlighted best practices for delivering engaging, quality learning models that are accelerating student learning in other states across the nation. The importance of fostering stronger relationships between educators and students was a focal point of the presentation. Hawley Miles emphasized the need to address barriers to educators developing these relationships and innovating in the classroom, such as outdated, restrictive scheduling models and inadequate support.
• Revolutionizing Education: Lambert kicked off a panel discussion with policymakers and key leaders, including Education Commissioner Jeff Riley, Mary Bourque, Co-Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of Superintendents, Liza Lazare, Executive Director of Educators for Excellence, and Senator Jason Lewis, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Education. They all highlighted the necessity of well-trained teachers who possess the freedom to innovate in the classroom and expose students to accelerated learning opportunities.

Jay Ash, CEO of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, delivered closing remarks pertaining to the integral relationship between our school systems and communities. He underscored that improved schools lead to better communities, offering opportunities for every individual to achieve their full potential. Ash emphasized, “Many of us work on our ultimate goal of a fairer, just and more equitable society and education is the key to all that, too.”

Both MACP and MBAE are part of the Student Pathways to Success coalition, a cross-sector of organizations dedicated to educational equity, representing students, parents, and educators. The coalition is actively working toward the passage of Pathways legislation, envisioned as a guiding light for the state, paving an equitable path for students, employees, and employers in shaping the future workforce of the Commonwealth.