One in four kids in public schools need glasses to see the board, read a book, or participate in class; yet, in underserved communities, 95% of kids who need glasses do not have them. In Atlanta, more than 100,000 students lack the vision care and glasses they need to succeed. Students with uncorrected vision problems often avoid reading, suffer headaches, and have trouble focusing in class, as 80% of learning during a child’s first 12
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As metro Atlanta school districts approach a full year of deeply disrupted instructional schedules, we know the learning loss will be significant, especially for our traditionally underserved students. In response to the great need for additional literacy support during this pandemic, Learn4Life’s Early Literacy Network and Leadership Council have worked over the past several months to identify another layer of Bright Spots that are serving children in metro Atlanta. Bright Spots are strategies or programs
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Learn4Life has just released the 4th annual State of Education in Metro Atlanta report. Read about our region’s progress along six cradle-to-career indicators, and the innovative ways in which school districts and bright spots are providing students educational opportunities through the pandemic. You can also explore these indicators on L4L’s Data Dashboard. You can view L4L’s State of Education event here. Thank you to our panelists and presenters: Atlanta Regional Commission Clayton County Public Schools
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Kindergarten readiness—one of Learn4Life’s six community indicators—is shaped by a range of factors, including access to high-quality child care. While gaps in access to Quality Rated child care programs were present across the metro region prior to the pandemic, COVID-19 has presented new challenges to the region’s families. This time has been especially challenging for parents of young children, as they’ve responded to the competing and shifting demands of the workplace, child care, and school.
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In order to improve early grade literacy during the pandemic, Learn4Life explored the root causes (or factors) that present unique challenges to our students during this time. The common theme was many supports, beyond just those in the classroom, are necessary to have in place for students to learn. Specifically, L4L’s most recent factor analysis found that the pandemic has had a profound impact on adult literacy, attendance, children’s mental health, early childhood education, food
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The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on public education. From massive budget cuts to reopening schools for the 2020-21 school year, many questions abound. How will local public school systems handle this adversity? What are some of the other tactics being used around the region? Join L4L’s Dr. Ken Zeff and L4L Leadership Council members Dr. Morcease Beasley and Dr. Pamela Whitten as they discuss implications for metro Atlanta k-12 districts and higher
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In 2019-20, metro Atlanta students lost nine weeks of regular instruction due to the COVID-mandated quick transition to distance learning in mid-March. Based on local and national data, if students had taken the Milestone assessments in spring 2020, the percentage of students demonstrating proficiency would be expected to drop 3.6 points in English language arts and 4.9 points in math as compared to last year. Two specific proficiency measures tracked by Learn4Life which are highly
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Days after our schools closed for summer break, our country was rocked by a series of events that highlight the lingering racial tensions and injustices that Black people face. Over the last two weeks, we have been inspired by the voices of protest from every corner of our region. Learn4Life stands with our Black students and their families. In metro Atlanta, there is a profound deficit of opportunity available to Black students. We understand that
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During this challenging season, we are heartened—but not at all surprised—to see metro Atlanta’s educational organizations quickly rise to the new demands of supporting young children and students through COVID-19. In the spirit of uplifting best practices, here are some lessons from our region’s bright spots… 1. Develop your crisis response while holding a copy of your mission statement Your organization’s vision mattered before this crisis, and it still matters now. With so many child-care,
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