What do YOU think is needed to get America’s children back on track in the classroom?

"Honestly? Time. Students have had three years of disruptions in their education due to the pandemic. We can’t expect them to bounce back immediately while also learning the important social skills and norms they missed as well. As a teacher, I’m of course troubled by the gaps in my students’ knowledge and skills, but I also think it’s unfair to expect them to perform as if the pandemic never happened. With more time and normalcy, they will rebound." –Mary S. from St. Louis, MO

• "We need less testing in classrooms. We spend so much time administering various benchmarks and common assessments and quick checks and progress checks and whatever else people call them that teachers barely have any time to teach the content being tested. We also need a lot of social issues to improve- if parents weren’t working 2-3 jobs just to put food on the table, then they could be more supportive of their children’s academics. Parents would have the time and energy to read more bedtime stories, help with homework, meet with teachers about progress, just converse with their kids (which builds confidence as well as vocabulary), etc." —Elizabeth K. from Fort Worth, TX

"Veteran teacher of 27 years, English at all levels and “tracks” from grades 6-12. At the risk of appearing to be a Luddite, we need to get back to paper, pencil, and skills taught specifically. AND combine with experiential learning, possibly virtual reality for those classes not able to “go.” Problem solving skills, communication, and critical thinking are more useful now than ever." –Kim S. from Bluffton, SC

• "I am a public educator in a school that stayed open with very minimal restrictions during Covid, and I can say with a certainty that the students in my district are much better off academically, socially & mentally than students in districts that went remote. That being said, there needs to be a bigger focus on PARENTS & FAMILY for students to be successful. Family & home life today looks very different than in the 80s and 90s. Kids need to have discipline, less screen time, family meals, time set aside to read and do school work at home, etc. Teachers cannot be expected to teach their content AND play mom/dad at school." –Hannah L. from Wisconsin

"Dump reliance on "standardized" tests as the end-all-be-all assessment of anything. Sure, collection of data is an indicator, but the focus on these tests leaves time for little else but data collection in 180 days. The only beneficiary of this has been test publishing companies in the form of money. Everyone else involved has suffered in some way and education certainly has not improved." –Caroline B. from Olney, MD

• "We need to support teachers and get an increase in funding in the schools that need help. Get rid of standardized testing and teach kids how to think. We need to look at other countries like Finland and recreate here what they are doing. Also reduce class sizes." –Rachel C. from Middletown, Ohio

"I believe national universal, high-quality PRE-K would make a significant difference in helping students start elementary school successfully, as well as reduce a financial burden on parents." –Becky Z from Waco, TX

• "As a teacher, we are inundated with way more tasks than simply our curriculum. Not only that, but we act as counselors, advocates, nurses, confidants, and much more on a daily basis. Handling behaviors while trying to get through needed curriculum is extremely challenging. We need support from families and less pressure on tests!" –Gillian C. from Hoffman Estates, IL

"Schools need to invest money into redesigning classrooms. Instead of square desks, we need spaces that can host groups, stations, media, etc. and have mobile seats and standing spaces. Schools need to focus on career paths and specialize in arts, science, etc. like charter schools or magnet schools. Allow kids to take more specialized classes, like college, but not be bogged down with things they don't need. Give kids choice. Teachers should be working on transdisciplinary units (convergence education) and creating things for the community or teaching multiple soft skills for the workplace. Schools should partner with industries to get feedback and have visits. Kids need less screen time at home and at school and need hands-on experience." –Brenda B. from Pittsburgh, PA

• "As a high school teacher, the "slip" is more than academic. The single most important thing we, as a community, can do to help students get "back on track" is limit devices. Unfettered access to social media and every other door cell phones open without teaching them HOW to use it responsibly is KILLING our students' motivations and success. It starts in the home and extends to schools and workplaces. Adults need to set the example. Instead of scroll time, there needs to be reading time." –Meghan S. from Helena, MT

"At the end of the day, we need to slow down the standardized testing and spend more time on actively engaging students and peaking their interests. You cannot teach a child who does not want to be taught. Get to know them, build relationships, help them see the value of an education. Standardized testing stresses out all parties involved and makes it harder to want to perform." –Raegan W. from Omaha, NE