Bridging the Covid Learning Gap

By Carol K. Kennedy, Ph. D

Now that schools are reopening and students are transitioning to in-person and remote learning, it is time to take stock of what your child lost during the past year. There is now Covid-19 relief funding that is part of the recovery package pending in Washington, DC. 

What can you do for your young person? It's time to step up and advocate on their behalf to get the resources they are entitled to receiving. As a parent, you can identify and focus on the loss of learning and skills your child has experienced. One way to begin is by trying to get an actual assessment from their school or institution. And here are a few other steps to take:

Compliance with IDEA: Make sure the school is in compliance with the Individuals with Disability Act (IDEA), and other federal, state and local requirements for a free and equitable education. This includes assistive and adaptive technology they may need. Also, make sure you have the connectivity needed to use this technology and the know-how to use it effectively. Be sure the teachers and administrators do as well.

Getting the right technology for your child's needs: Inquire directly about what your school/district/vocational program has purchased specifically to meet all of the technology requirements your child needs to bridge the gap. It is their right to have whatever they need. The good news is that it is going to be part of the Learning Recovery Act. In understandable terms, Don Johnston, a leader in disability education, has stated the following, which can be found on their website:

• Purchasing of educational technology

  • hardware, software, and connectivity

  • for students served, “that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors including low-income students and children with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment.”

• Providing technology for online learning to all students

• Directly Addressing Learning Recovery

• Implementing evidence-based activities to meet the comprehensive needs of students

  Improving Access to the Curriculum: Technology can be used to access curriculum materials, bridge learning styles and abilities, and help aid in learning recovery for all students. Tools like read-aloud, translation, on-the-fly text leveling, voice typing, and organization support can improve:

• Access to the curriculum

• Independence

• Dyslexia / Dysgraphia support

• Comprehension of grade-level materials

• Testing outcomes (with accommodations)

• Organization / Executive Functioning

Visit Don Johnston online for more information.

As you’ll see, your young person can have their needs met so they can catch up to feel more empowered and successful in the near future. It is now up to you to be assertive and make sure the get support and know how to use it.

Go through the list and discuss it with your child to see what has helped and what they need going forward. The findings might surprise you!

Lastly, it is almost time for annual IEP meetings, so be present and hold your district accountable and know your rights. 

As always, we are our child's best advocate.