Teachers in the United States have raised concerns over the state of American education, with students being advanced to higher grade levels despite not meeting academic standards. These concerns have gained prominence through social media platforms, particularly TikTok.
A viral TikTok video by Marquis Bryant, a three-year teaching veteran in Atlanta, Georgia, has brought attention to the issue. He pointed out the lack of emphasis on the severity of the educational challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Bryant, who teaches seventh grade, revealed that many of his students are performing at a level as low as fourth grade, struggling with basic math skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as lacking fundamental vocabulary and comprehension.
The impact of the pandemic on education is reflected in data from the Nation’s Report Card, which shows the largest-ever decrease in math scores and a return to reading score levels not seen since 1992 for fourth and eighth graders nationwide. The average math score for fourth graders fell by five points between 2019 and 2022, and eighth graders’ scores dropped by eight points. Reading scores for both grades declined by three points since 2019.
Marquis Bryant’s viral video has prompted teachers across the country to share their experiences and concerns. Many teachers are grappling with significant skill deficits among their students, making it challenging to meet grade-level standards. Basic reading, decoding, vocabulary, and background knowledge are lacking in some students, presenting unprecedented challenges for educators.
Teachers also noted the role of parental involvement in students’ academic success, suggesting that parental indifference to poor grades may contribute to students’ declining motivation to excel in their studies.
A central issue raised by teachers is the promotion of students to higher grade levels without adequate academic preparation. Many educators argue that some students should have been held back to ensure their readiness for the next educational level.
The concerns expressed by teachers highlight the need for a comprehensive examination of the pandemic’s impact on education and the development of strategies to address the learning gaps that have emerged. The challenges faced by teachers and students underscore the importance of addressing these issues to ensure a strong and effective education system in the United States.
Teachers sound the alarm on students failing to meet grade level standards:
‘Never seen anything like it’
One 7th grade teacher said his students are still performing at a 4th grade level.https://t.co/oxFafFHk0r
— Orietta Rose 🇺🇲 (@0riettaRose) October 29, 2023
Teachers across the United States are sounding the alarm over the failing state of American education and claiming that students are being pushed to the next grade level without meeting academic standards. Look what their focus is on and there is no wonder they fail to educate.
— Danno (@BookDanno50) October 29, 2023
