Teaching and Learning during Covid

Topic: COVID-19 effects on teaching and learning in the NYC Public Schools system

Teaching and learning is currently undergoing a face lift and is unrecognizable to many, even to the instructors who are currently servicing students. Goodson, highlights the high stakes every year particularly this year. The achievement gaps and potential long term negative effects of COVID 19 on student learning is explored further. The leadership at The Fresh Creek School discusses the systems and structures that are being put in place to safeguard the students and to ensure academic success.

Goodson said, “We are aware of learning gaps and we know that students could regress. That is why we are using the Unfinished Learning Document and prioritizing standards to ensure that students meet grade level learning expectations. Additionally, we expect our teachers to use data to drive their instruction. There is no one size fits all approach.”

Fresh Creek Assistant Principal Dr. Audrey Fowler, who is also the director of special education services, said, “ We believe in equity and equity is not about everyone getting the same support and scaffolds. It’s about everyone getting what they need to learn. Our approach varied depending on the child.”

The educators in this school community are well aware of the challenges that they are up against. They are committed to rolling up their sleeves and taking on this new challenge with optimism. This school community reminds themselves of their motto which is repeated daily, ” Success is the Only Option.”

In the below picture, each student has updated technology aiming to close the digital divide. These in person students use technology to engage in learning.

This grade 4 teacher prioritizes gettin to know her remote students while she sits in an empty classroom. She engages her scholars in an online assessment so that she can collect this data and use this information to diagnose issues in learning and the unique needs of each of her 29 students.

The below data sets highlight the disparity that The Fresh Creek School faces in closing gaps. The second data set shows another NYC elementary school in an affluent district. The data shows an alarming discrepancy of proficiency levels in student performance with the Affluent school out performing The Fresh Creek School. With a seemingly, insurmountable climb, the hope and high expectations that this school community has is unwavering.

Affluent school: