Recent School Year Saw Little Academic Recovery, New Study Finds

by Matt Barnum, Chalkbeat

Sheridan Teacher Pay Negotiations Stall Amid Tight Budgets, Sinking Enrollment

by Yesenia Robles, Chalkbeat

There’s been little, if any, progress making up large learning gaps that have emerged since the onset of the pandemic, according to a new analysis of data from the testing group NWEA.

In the 2022-23 school year, students learned at a similar or slower rate compared to a typical pre-pandemic school year, the analysis found. This left intact the substantial learning losses, which have barely budged since the spring of 2021.

NWEA offers only one data point based on a subset of American students, and more data from other exams will be needed to produce a clearer picture of academic progress during this last school year. Still, NWEA’s analysis is a concerning indication that the steep learning losses seen since the pandemic have proven difficult to ameliorate and could have lasting consequences for students and the country.

The results are “somber and sobering,” said NWEA researcher Karyn Lewis. “Whatever we’re doing, it’s not enough,” she said. “The magnitude of the crisis is out of alignment with the scope and scale of the response and we need to do more.”

Since the onset of the COVID pandemic, NWEA, which develops and sells tests to schools, has been measuring students’ progress on math and reading exams in grades three through eight. By the spring of 2021 — according to NWEA and a string of other tests — the typical student was far behind where they would normally be. Test score gaps by race and family income, already yawning, had grown in many cases. This coincided with dramatic disruptions outside and inside schools, including extended virtual instruction. Students were learning during that time — but much more slowly than usual.

By the end of the 2021-22 school year, NWEA offered some reason for optimism. Gaps were still there, but students in many grades had started to slowly make up ground. Learning during the school year was back to normal, perhaps even a bit better than normal. State tests also indicated that students were starting to catch up.

But NWEA’s results from the most recent school year are more pessimistic. For reasons that aren’t clear, progress stalled out, even reversed. In most grades and subjects, students actually learned at a slightly slower rate than usual. Growth in middle school reading was particularly sluggish.

In no grade or subject was there evidence of substantial catch-up this year. Instead, the learning gap this spring was not much different than in the spring of 2021, according to NWEA. Students of all types remain behind, but NWEA shows that Black and Hispanic students have been hurt somewhat more than white and Asian American students.

“This is not what we were hoping to see and it’s not the message we want to be sharing at this time,” said Lewis. “But the data are what they are.”

Frustratingly, though, the data does not come with a clear explanation.

Schools were beset with challenges this past year: Chronic absenteeism remained at an alarmingly high level in many places. More teachers left the classroom than usual. Educators reported difficulties managing students’ behavior and supporting their mental health.

But it’s not clear why there was more progress in the 2021-22 school year, which was also an unusually taxing year in many ways, according to teachers. Lewis said this was puzzling, but speculated that an initial burst of motivation upon returning to school buildings had fizzled.

Learning loss recovery efforts have also run into hurdles. Tutoring has reached only a small subset of students. Few districts have extended the school day or year to guarantee all students more learning time.

But NWEA researchers cautioned that their data cannot speak directly to the effectiveness or particular recovery efforts or to the federal COVID relief money more generally. “We have no access to the counterfactual of what life would be like right now absent those funds — I think it would be much more dire,” said Lewis.

It’s also possible that some combination of out-of-school factors may be driving trends in student learning. Researchers have long noted that a complex array of variables outside of schools’ control matters a great deal for student learning.

What the NWEA study does suggest is that students are not on track to catch up to where they would have been if not for the pandemic. Lewis says the takeaway is that policymakers and schools simply aren’t doing enough. “If you give someone half a Tylenol for a migraine and expect them to feel better, that’s just not reality,” she said.

NWEA’s analysis is based on data from millions of students in thousands of public schools. Outcomes may not be representative of all students or schools, though, since the exam’s administration is voluntary.

NWEA researchers say other data would be helpful to confirm the results. That could come soon: State test results from this year are beginning to emerge and other testing companies will be releasing their own data.

Matt Barnum is a national reporter covering education policy, politics, and research. Contact him at mbarnum@chalkbeat.org.

Teachers in the Sheridan school district south of Denver are concerned about pay. While neighboring districts are offering double-digit percentage salary increases to their educators, Sheridan teachers have been offered just 2%.

District officials are concerned about declining enrollment, which they say is affecting district revenues. Last year alone, the district, which served 1,125 students, lost 476 students to other districts.

The teachers union sees it all as part of the same cycle: Low pay prompts teachers to leave, creating turnover and instability. Frustrated families leave the district for schools that can provide more stability. Enrollment declines, the district loses revenue, budgets get tighter, and raises require tough trade-offs.

But the two sides aren’t talking anymore. Negotiations stalled over the pay issue, and the district and the union are headed for mediation beginning July 28, a schedule that leaves teachers uncertain about their pay well into the summer.

“It’s causing me a bit of anxiety,” said Kate Biester, a high school teacher and union leader.

The stalemate over teacher pay points to a larger question for districts like Sheridan: What happens when a district that’s already small keeps shrinking?

Other Denver metro districts facing enrollment and revenue declines are closing or consolidating schools, which creates disruption but helps free up some money for the students and schools that remain.

But in Sheridan and other small districts, the limited number of schools leaves fewer options for closing buildings.

Sheridan district leaders declined to talk about the negotiations or the impact of enrollment declines on district finances. They said that there were no documents about the salary offer that they could release as public records, and that they don’t have recorded video of the negotiations. Under Colorado law, negotiations between teachers unions and school districts are public.

Biester said the teachers’ position in the negotiations was met with a lack of compassion.

“We did not feel that our story was listened to,” she said. “We were told several times to hurry up and stop being repetitive about things that are really close to home. I work 16-hour days often, and I might not be able to afford my rent next year.”

Enrollment declines are accelerating

The enrollment declines in Sheridan are real: The district had 1,125 students enrolled in the fall of 2022, down nearly 20% since 2017. The overall population of children in Sheridan has dropped as well, census data shows, but not as fast.

Arapahoe County’s birth rates have dropped since 2000 but are projected to rise in 2025.

According to district budget presentations, the district is projected to receive about $13.5 million in funding for the 2023-24 school year, up from last year. The district presentation states that last year, the district received about $12.8 million, although state calculations put last year’s revenue at closer to $13.4 million.

The district has five schools: an early childhood center, a K-2 elementary school, a middle school for grades 3-8, a high school, and an alternative secondary school. Merging those schools hasn’t been a part of discussions, district leaders say.

“I don’t know the physical space would allow it,” said Superintendent Pat Sandos, who retired, but will return in July for a one-year transition. “It probably would cost us money to do that.”

Instead, district documents show the board had pressed the superintendent and district leaders to come up with a marketing plan to keep students from leaving the district.

Sandos, who received a 17% raise in 2021, said the district has focused on developing a training program that partners with trade unions in the area to create a path for students to work in the trades. The district has spent millions in remodeling a building for that program.

The district has offered teachers a 2% raise. The school board president said raising pay beyond that would require cutting staff.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Biden’s Student Loan Cancellation

Ruling keeps estimated $430 billion in debt principal with borrowers by Casey Harper | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Cancelling hundreds of billions of dollars in student loan debt cannot be done by President Joe Biden and his administration, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday.

In a 6-3 opinion, the court said Biden’s administration did not have the authority to unilaterally cancel student loan debt, blocking the president’s plan to cancel $10,000 per borrower.

Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented in the case known as Biden v. Nebraska.

“The issue presented in this case is whether the Secretary has authority under the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003 (HEROES Act) to depart from the existing provisions of the Education Act and establish a student loan forgiveness program that will cancel about $430 billion in debt principal and affect nearly all borrowers,” the court said.

The court ruled that the previous legislation allowed for tweaks to student loan forgiveness but did not allow for the sweeping forgiveness Biden tried to enact.

“The authority to ‘modify’ statutes and regulations allows the Secretary to make modest adjustments and additions to existing provisions, not transform them,” said the majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts.

The court also ruled that the state of Missouri, a lead challenger in the case, would suffer injury from the plan and therefore had standing to challenge the forgiveness program, which was a key legal question in this case. Missouri was one of six states that sued.

In the dissent, written by Kagan, the justices argued that during COVID-19 both Republican and Democratic administrations used the HEROES Act to delay student loan repayment, signaling a universal understanding of the legislation’s broad power.

“The plaintiffs in this case are six States that have no personal stake in the Secretary’s loan forgiveness plan,” the dissent said. “They are classic ideological plaintiffs: They think the plan a very bad idea, but they are no worse off because the Secretary differs. In giving those States a forum – in adjudicating their complaint – the Court forgets its proper role. The Court acts as though it is an arbiter of political and policy disputes, rather than of cases and controversies.”

Federal student loan repayments had been put on hold. The Department of Education said last year that repayment would resume 60 days after this court ruling.

As The Center Square previously reported, Biden announced last year that his administration would cancel $10,000 in federal student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 per year. For those who have received Pell Grants, the debt forgiveness could total $20,000. The administration also said debtors would be allowed to cap repayment of their loans at 5% of their income.

Biden said in the original announcement that his plan and the delayed repayments were “to give working and middle-class families breathing room…”

The U.S. Congressional Budget Office estimated that Biden’s debt plan would cost taxpayers about $400 billion. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget released an analysis last year predicting it would take only a few years for debt levels to return to the precancellation levels.

Biden’s student loan announcement has been a highly political fight since it was announced.

House Republicans voted in May to overturn Biden’s student loan forgiveness under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to undo federal rules. The Senate then voted in June, with the support of a few Democrats, to also overturn the plan.

Although the plan had little chance of becoming law since the president would have had to sign the legislation, it showed the student loan forgiveness was far from a highly popular plan. In fact, several Senate Democrats turned against it as criticisms piled up that it is unfair to those who worked to pay off their loans or who never took them out in the first place.

“President Biden’s student loan transfer scheme shifts hundreds of billions of dollars of payments from student loan borrowers onto the backs of the American people,” Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., who led the House effort, told The Center Square earlier this year. “I am proud to lead the fight against President Biden’s reckless, unilateral, and unauthorized action that would unfairly penalize those who worked hard to pay off their loans or who never took them out in the first place.”

James Keller, of Fort Morgan, Graduated from The University of Tampa

TAMPA, FL (07/06/2023)-- James Keller, of Fort Morgan, graduated from The University of Tampa on Saturday, May 6. Keller graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science BS.

The commencement ceremony included 1,525 undergraduate and graduate candidates. The ceremony included remarks by President Ronald Vaughn, Jeff Drushal from the class of 1989, the Honorable Jane Castor from the class of 1981 and the student challenge speaker.

The University of Tampa is a private, comprehensive university located on 110 acres on the riverfront in downtown Tampa. Known for academic excellence, personal attention and real-world experience in its undergraduate and graduate programs, the University has about 200 programs of study and serves approximately 11,000 students from 50 states and most of the world’s countries.

Financial Focus

Inflation Can Be ‘Shocking’ In Retirement

When you retire, you hope that you’ll be able to anticipate the events that could cause you financial challenges down the road. For one thing, most retirees are probably aware that, even if they remain healthy, their health care costs may rise, even if they’re covered by Medicare or Medicare Advantage. But there’s another potential risk that can sneak up on retirees: inflation.

However, once they reach retirement, retirees are all too aware of the effects of rising prices. In fact, 63% of retirees think the biggest financial shock in retirement is inflation and the rising cost of living, according to a recent survey by Age Wave and Edward Jones.

As you know, we have experienced mild inflation for some time, up until the past couple of years. But even when inflation subsides again, it can still be a threat to your retirement security. A 3% annual inflation rate can double your cost of living in about 25 years. What can you do to help alleviate the shock of inflation?

Actually, you can take considerable action to help meet this threat. Here are a few steps to consider:

• Try to cut down on expenses. Take a close look at all your discretionary expenses, such as travel, entertainment and so on. You might find areas in which you can cut back somewhat — and every little bit helps. Also, take advantage of all the senior discounts available to you. These days, many businesses and services offer these discounts, but you may have to ask about them. And if you want to look at an area that potentially offers even bigger savings, you might consider downsizing your living space, though this decision involves many factors, not all of them financial.

• Consider part-time work. If you wouldn’t mind doing some part-time work or consulting, you’ll find that the extra income could improve your cash flow and possibly make you somewhat less dependent on your investment portfolio for the financial resources you need to maintain your lifestyle. And the added income could eventually contribute to increased Social Security benefits. (However, if you earn over a certain amount and have already started collecting Social Security but haven’t reached your full retirement age — between 66 and 67 — your benefits may be temporarily reduced.)

• Review your investments for growth and income opportunities. Understandably, many investors shift their investment portfolios toward a more conservative approach when they retire – after all, they simply have fewer years to recover from the inevitable short-term market declines. Yet, to help stay ahead of inflation, even retired investors need some growth potential in their portfolios, such as stocks and other growth investments. At the same time, it may be a good idea to consider whether you’re getting what you need from your income-producing securities, such as certificates of deposit (CDs), bonds and other fixed-income investments. A financial professional can help review your portfolio to determine if the mix of growth and income is aligned with your particular needs given your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.

The past few years have been a wakeup call for many people, especially retirees, on the threat that inflation poses to their financial security. But being proactive can help prevent inflation from deflating your retirement hopes and dreams.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Pedestrian fatalities hit all time high in 2022

CDOT calls for heightened awareness during summer - Pedestrian fatalities still increasing Statewide — With summer’s arrival, more people are getting out of their cars and walking. As pedestrian traffic increases, so does the need for drivers and pedestrians to stay alert to avoid injury.

The reminder comes as Colorado hits its highest level of pedestrian fatalities on record. In 2022, 111 pedestrians were killed on Colorado roads, representing 15% of the state’s total traffic fatalities.

This year is also seeing an increase in the number of pedestrian deaths. So far in 2023, there have been 51 pedestrian fatalities in Colorado - up 14% from this time last year. Denver (9), El Paso (7), Arapahoe (7) and Jefferson (7) counties have seen the most pedestrian fatalities so far in 2023 among all Colorado counties. Typically, the vast majority of the pedestrian fatalities occur at night.

El Paso and Jefferson counties have seen alarming increases this year, each with seven pedestrian deaths so far in 2023, compared with just one for each county at this same time last year.

“There is no contest between a vehicle and a person on foot, bicycle, skateboard, or scooter. Drivers have to stay alert and watch for the unexpected,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Pedestrians also need to unplug, look up and follow traffic safety rules. When we all share the same roadways, we all share the same responsibility.”

Ready for Takeoff? Aims Community College

Hosts Thrilling Aviation Day in Loveland

LOVELAND, CO – July 13, 2023 – Join Aims Community College at its Flight Training Center, 6350 Aviation Circle in Loveland, on Saturday, August 12 for Aims Aviation Day from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. This free, fun and family-friendly event features demonstrations from the Aims Aviation Program, games and activities for the entire family.

The Aims aviation team will have aircraft on display for the public to view. Attendees can also experience the new Aims mobile aviation lab, including virtual reality flight simulators, an air traffic control simulation, drones, STEM-related activities, and more. Over 20 vendors will be on site including representatives from major airlines and the Colorado Division of Aeronautics. Food trucks will be at the event with snacks and refreshments.

Sign up for an Airplane Ride

Aims Aviation Day offers flights between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Airplane rides cost $45 per person and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All money Aims collects from the flights will be donated to scholarships for future Aims aviation students. Guests select a preferred two-hour window to better plan a fun-filled day. Flight times are estimates only. The maximum number of guests on a flight is three people. All flights are pre-sold; tickets are unavailable for day-of sales. Flights are contingent on the weather.

“Aviation Day is an opportunity for community members to experience the joy of flight and what Aims Community College has to offer,” said Chief Flight Instructor Alex Wernsman. “The most exciting thing about the event is seeing young people get a chance to experience the joys of aviation and to pass on the passion to the next generation of pilots.”

Visit aims.co/aviation-day to get the latest information about Aims Aviation Day and to sign up for a flight. To request accommodations for this event, call 970-3396388 or email disabilities@aims.edu.

Aims Aviation programs are Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved and provide a hands-on learning experience through advanced simulators, flight training in modern aircraft, drones and quality coursework taught by experienced professionals. Please visit aims.co/aviation for more information.

Source: https://www.codot.gov/safety/traffic-safety/assets/fatal-crash-data-citycounty/fatality_by_person-type_2023_20230612.pdf

CDOT offers the following reminders for pedestrians to stay safe:

• Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.

• Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections.

• Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.

• Stay off your phone when crossing the street.

• Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your judgment. For drivers, CDOT recommends:

• Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in school zones and in neighborhoods.

• Look out for pedestrians and bicyclists at all times.

• Stop before a crosswalk, not in it.

• Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.

• When the light turns green, go slow, check your surroundings and proceed with caution.

• At night, reduce your speed and make sure your headlights are on.

• Respect pedestrians as equal roadway users

“We urge both pedestrians and drivers to use caution and obey traffic laws,” said Darrell Lingk, director of the Highway Safety Office at CDOT. “Our state’s population has grown significantly, and with more people out walking this time of year, the need is greater than ever to be alert at all times.”

More fatal crashes happen on Colorado roads during the three months between Memorial Day and Labor Day than any other time of year — a period known as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer. An increase in cars on the road, motorcyclists and teen drivers, and a historic increase in impaired driving are all factors contributing to a spike in motor vehicle fatalities this time of year, and pedestrians are also at a higher risk. In 2022, pedestrian fatalities more than doubled between May and September — rising from 26 at the beginning of May to 58 by Sept. 1. CDOT urges drivers to be vigilant and use caution behind the wheel.

About the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program

Walking and bicycling can be a fun and healthy way to enjoy our beautiful state, and CDOT encourages residents to make bicycling and walking a part of their regular routine. For more information on safety practices for pedestrians and drivers or how to get involved with programs like Safe Routes to School or Colorado’s annual Bike to Work Day, visit www.codot.gov/ programs/bikeped

Please say “crashes” not “accidents”

Crashes are not accidents - they are preventable.