Data show California must continue to  ‘double down on closing opportunity gaps and meeting our students’ needs’ after the pandemic

BURLINGAME – CTA President E. Toby Boyd, a kindergarten educator, issued a statement today following the release of national student assessment data, the National Assessment of Educational Progress results (NAEP).

“It’s discouraging to see test scores drop, but it’s not unexpected given the enormous challenges of a worldwide pandemic. These results confirm what educators have been saying for more than two years: the pandemic has exacerbated racial, economic and other inequities that have long existed in our public education system. We must double down on closing opportunity gaps and meeting our students’ needs and the unique needs of their communities. California’s record investment in public education this year, the expansion of universal transitional kindergarten and our recent $4.1 billion investment in community schools show California’s significant commitment to meeting student needs as they recover academically, socially and emotionally from this pandemic.

“At the same time, it’s important to remember that these test scores are a snapshot of student learning, not the full picture. There may be those who seek to divide and politicize these test scores for their own political gain. That would be a mistake. Instead, educators, parents and school communities must remain committed together to the critical needs of California’s six million students and their academic success and strong future.”

– E. Toby Boyd, CTA President

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The 310,000-member California Teachers Association is affiliated with the 3 million-member National Education Association.