Friday Feature: Leaving Kids Behind?

Last night, I watched President Biden's speech, grateful that the COVID relief package he just signed will bring not only vaccines and COVID tests, but access to health insurance and monthly allowances that could level the playing field for families hit hard not just by COVID, but life. As an educator who used to teach those kids who've just earned their parents a monthly stipend, I'm thrilled that basic needs will no longer need to be a luxury for some families.

But, as an educator (albeit one who now teaches young adults), I also objected to what the President said about our children falling behind. Falling behind what? An arbitrary standard? An expectation meant to be met when life isn't overshadowed by an unpredictable disease? Another provision laid out by the ridiculous, heart-tuggingly-named No Child Left Behind?

If by behind he means that kids aren't necessarily learning what they were learning this time two years ago, I might agree. If he means that kids are learning differently, I definitely agree. But does that mean they're behind?

Learning comes in many forms and every educator I know is working harder than ever to make sure that some form of learning happens. Granted, my sample may be skewed. There may be terrible teachers out there who are coasting, and there are definitely kids out there who are struggling. But "behind" requires a definition. 

Yes, I've seen the projections. This is going to cost these kids for the rest of their lives, according to some experts. Except...we don't know what the rest of their lives are going to look like. This past year has changed not just education, but everything, and judging progress by a standard that is arbitrary and perhaps even outdated triggers all sorts of alarms while still failing to make an evidence-based case. 

After an exhausting year of learning new ways to teach, reach and support my students, I'm offended by the suggestion that that year has been wasted. And I teach self-sufficient young adults. I can only imagine the sting that unintended (I hope) slap in the face packed for educators who are trying to teach little ones.

Children learn on their own time tables and good teaching means meeting kids where they are and taking them to the next level(s) from there -- it always has. When returning to school is safe -- for everyone -- that is exactly what good teachers will do. And, when we do, it will be with a new layer of skills and compassion earned after a year of teaching despite the obstacles imposed by everything from tech glitches to viruses to those who believe we're somehow satisfied leaving children in the dust. If children are behind, we will catch them up. 

That's what we do. Always.