CEC Endorses Bill to Address COVID-Related Learning Loss
Last Friday, Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Learning Opportunity and Achievement Act, a bill aimed at improving distance and blended learning and addressing learning loss in K-12 schools brought on by the pandemic.
This legislation promotes professional development for educators, provides support for tutoring services, and addresses research and best practices to improve equity in education for students who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
The bill also requires the U.S. Department of Education to conduct research on how to address instructional loss brought on by COVID-19. This legislation has garnered support from a variety of stakeholders, including CEC.
CEC President Dr. Jennifer Lesh remarked, “Watching educators rise to the challenges of teaching during the pandemic has been nothing short of inspirational. Yet, we know this crisis is impacting specific populations, including students with disabilities, at a disproportionately high rate. This legislation will provide targeted resources to support school personnel in hard-hit areas as they continue to work hard every day to address the needs of their students during this pandemic and beyond. I applaud Senator Hirono for addressing learning loss through this important legislation."