Pandemic generation should be remembered for what the accomplished, not what they lost. [Video]

Media coverage of the recent release of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores, known as the nation’s report card, has often been dramatic. The pandemic was indeed a dramatic time in our lives.

Anyone reading this knows the pandemic’s effects on their work, home and social lives. This is true for the way our students and the adults who serve them experienced school as well.

Schools moved to remote learning in the spring of 2020, before state tests were administered, and at a time when only about two-thirds of high school juniors had taken the ACT. The remaining third were given vouchers to take the test elsewhere.

During the fall of 2020, the majority of our schools met in person while dealing with inconsistent attendance due to outbreaks. Mask mandates and occasional remote learning were also in place at some schools as outbreaks occurred in various parts of the state. Conditions for learning were less than ideal.

Now various test scores …