A year into online school, more of Salem's youngest students are struggling to read [View all]

Fewer Salem elementary school students are on track to read proficiently by third grade than one year ago, according to data shared with the Salem-Keizer School Board last week. The same data also show particular difficulties for special education students and those learning English, including native Spanish speakers assessed in Spanish.

District administrators presented the data, which measures second graders’ ability to read a passage of text. It’s one of the data points district administrators track and report annually to the school board, and provides a glimpse at the challenges the district’s youngest students face as they return to in-person classes on Tuesday

Educators said the data point is a key indicator for students being able to read and understand schoolwork moving forward and success in other subjects.

“If kids are struggling at that point, it’s going to be really difficult for them to transition into higher level demands,” said Suzanne West, the district’s director of elementary curriculum and instruction, in an interview with Salem Reporter.

Read more: https://www.salemreporter.com/posts/3758/a-year-into-online-school-more-of-salems-youngest-students-are-struggling-to-read