The pandemic’s toll: National test scores show progress slowed, gaps widened

Data released Wednesday by national testing group NWEA reinforces what most of us expected: academic process slowed during 2020. In response, schools are hard at work to expand academic support but for many, emotional support is needed as well. It’s estimated that nearly 120,000 children lost a parent or caregiver due to COVID. While school systems across the country focus on catching students up academically, the more human aspects of learning will be left to the teachers.