Close Reading Gaps for Middle Schoolers - Cuased by Covid-19

The academic comeback we’ve all been hoping for since the pandemic is proving to be a long and challenging road, especially for our middle school students. A recent report from NWEA, a well-regarded K12 assessment and research organization, brings this reality into sharp focus. Their findings, which are underscored by recent data from the National Assessment on Educational Progress (NAEP), confirm that the average eighth-grader today requires nearly a full academic year of additional reading instruction to catch up to their pre-pandemic peers. This is a significant gap, and it highlights a critical issue: many students are simply not prepared for the complex reading demands of middle school and beyond.

The data from the NAEP, which shows that a mere 30% of eighth-graders are performing at or above proficiency, paints a clear picture of the challenge. According to researchers, this learning gap is not just a side effect of disrupted schooling, but a symptom of a deeper issue: a lack of explicit, structured reading instruction. While students are expected to comprehend increasingly intricate materials across a variety of subjects, they haven’t been equipped with the fundamental skills to do so. As Miah Daughtery, the vice president of content advocacy-literacy at NWEA, so eloquently puts it, "Our current middle and high schoolers were just starting their literacy journey when the pandemic hit, and we cannot lessen the urgency to support them.” This isn't just about reading for pleasure; it's about the foundational literacy required to succeed in every class.

So, what can be done? The NWEA report offers a systems-level approach for policymakers and district leaders to consider. First, it’s crucial to use high-quality, grade-appropriate assessments that can provide a clear, data-driven picture of where middle schoolers stand in their literacy development. This isn’t about just measuring a score but truly understanding a student’s specific needs. Secondly, districts should explore creating flexible schedules to weave literacy development throughout the entire school day, ensuring every moment is used effectively to build these essential skills.

Thirdly, it's vital to recognize that the literacy needs of middle schoolers are unique and must be understood from a district-wide perspective. This means investing in ongoing professional learning for teachers in all disciplines, not just English language arts, so that every educator feels empowered to reinforce reading skills. Finally, districts should consider curating relationships with external partners who share similar goals in improving literacy outcomes. These partners can offer valuable resources and support, extending and reinforcing a student’s literacy development beyond the school day.

The path to recovery is undoubtedly long, but these actionable strategies offer a clear way forward. By adopting a comprehensive, system-wide approach, we can begin to close the reading gap and ensure that our students not only catch up but also thrive academically and professionally for years to come.

Here are four ways to better support reading instruction:

• Use high-quality, grade-appropriate assessments that provide data on the literacy needs of middle schoolers.
• Create flexible schedules to promote literacy development throughout the entire school day and make more effective use of instructional time.
• Understand the unique literacy needs of middle schoolers from a district-level perspective and invest in teacher professional learning in all disciplines, including at the upper grades.
• Curate relationships with external partners who share similar goals in improving literacy outcomes and can reinforce literacy development beyond school hours.

Read the full report here.