Three years after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the complete shutdown of schools across the nation, its lasting effects on academic performance are noticed today, primarily through standardized test scores.
With over half of all third through eighth graders failing to meet the grade requirement for the Reading Standards of Learning (SOL) and two thirds at risk for the Math SOL in 2023, scores have only continued to fall among recent years.
In an effort to minimize these declines in youth testing and education, Governor Glenn Youngkin proposed a new tutoring plan, also known as the All In VA plan, which focuses on offering intervention classes, different learning opportunities and online tutoring. Eligible students in third through eighth grade received notifications detailing the support provided earlier this year.
“I believe that this program is beneficial because it makes academic help accessible for families who may not have the means to find their own tutor,” said junior Jessica Sun, whose younger brother is currently in third grade. “In a way, I would say that it levels out the playing field because all students would be able to receive help.”
In comparison, high school testing scores have maintained steady improvement over time, making the situation far less drastic than that of grades three through eight.
Although Virginia’s K-12 Learning Acceleration Grants, introduced in July of 2023, were designed to combat this loss of learning with personalized tutoring for qualifying students, the state believed more could be done.
In Fairfax, the ALL In VA plan would follow implementations similar to the county’s previous tutoring programs, installing educators to lead small groups focused on providing students the opportunity to accelerate their understanding of grade level content.
As tutors consist entirely of volunteers, the plan relies heavily on public participation.
“We are creating a database of volunteers interested in helping students accelerate their learning,” said the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) on their website about ALL In VA tutoring. “School divisions will ensure the proper processes have been followed regarding background checks and professional learning for alternative educators.”
Of the initiative’s budget, 10% will go towards addressing chronic absenteeism, an issue that persists in schools across the state. According to Fairfax County Public Schools on attendance information, only four months into the academic year, all elementary, middle and high schools in Fairfax expect their absentee numbers to surpass those of the 22-23 school year.
As students who frequently fail to attend school tend to perform far worse on standardized testing, the VDOE hopes to partner with families of students who struggle with their attendance.
Through recognizing improved attendance and focusing on creating a welcoming environment for all students, younger children will be encouraged to build foundational study habits that will advance them towards higher education.
“The hallmark of ALL In VA tutoring is learning acceleration,” said Marcey Sorensen, the deputy superintendent of teaching and learning at the VDOE. “It is essential that tutoring supports students, connecting lost learning to what they are learning in the classroom every day.”
Though the program is strongly suggested for students with lacking academic performance, all interested students are encouraged to participate. Each of the state’s 131 school divisions have proposed different methods of employing tutoring services, all of which have to be approved by the VDOE before implementation.
“[The ALL In VA plan] focuses on an effort to [completely] change the direction of [test score numbers],” Youngkin said in a press conference on Sept. 7. “Education is the fundamental pillar to our collective future and [Virginia’s DOE] has to stand up and [help the children].”