It’s the most exciting time of the year — back-to-school season. As a member of the K-12 education team at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the nervous hopefulness that I felt as a student around this time has evolved. Now, I look forward to this season because it presents new opportunities to learn from business leaders about how they are strengthening local education systems, double down on what really matters for students with new interventions and initiatives, and help students gain the skills and knowledge needed for the success in work and life.
This year, we must continue our focus on returning to pre-pandemic achievement levels, especially since an analysis of 30 states found that students in only one state had returned to pre-pandemic achievement levels in math, and in three states in reading. There is more work to do to help all students recover this learning loss. We must be forward-thinking as well, ensuring that we set current and future cohorts of students up for success in a rapidly changing workforce.
With that context of where we stand in K-12 education in mind, here is my wish list for the 2024-2025 school year:
1. Use up all the ESSER funds
The unprecedented $190 billion investment in the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund(ESSER) for pandemic recovery efforts is coming to an end. States must commit the funds by the end of September 2024 and use them by the end of December 2024 (unless an extension is granted). Still, as of January, 50% or more of the third installation of ESSER funds were unspent in 13 states. Research shows that the federal relief has aided academic recovery – each $1,000 difference in ESSER spending is associated with an increase of approximately six days of learning in math and three days of learning in reading. Leaving any money on the table is a wasted opportunity to boost student achievement at a time when less than half of students are performing at grade level.
2. Scale high-impact academic recovery interventions
Specifically, states and districts should use their remaining ESSER funds to invest in interventions proven to boost student achievement. Unfortunately, the lack of reporting requirements on how districts choose to spend these dollars means that we know very little about which investments led to the most payoff for students. Still, evidence suggests that tactics such as high-dosage tutoring, expanding instructional time, and double-dose math instruction can accelerate student learning. Leaders should look at states like Texas that are incentivizing districts to extend the school year or expand summer learning in future years for inspiration.
3. Community focus on consistent school attendance
As I wrote in July, communities must work together to get students back to school as we enter the fourth school year after the onset of the pandemic. Regular attendance is crucial to student success, yet from 2019 to 2022, chronic absenteeism skyrocketed from 15 to 28 percent – affecting approximately one in every four students. While rates fell in 33 of 39 states reporting data in 2022-23, nationwide, chronic absenteeism remained 75 percent higher than it was prior to the pandemic. This year, I hope communities can work together to elevate the issue on the local level and address the root causes of chronic absenteeism. State efforts like that of Rhode Island show how families, educators, and community members can work together to promote consistent attendance.
4. Annual statewide assessment results from the 2023-24 school year
As I’ve lamented before, annual assessment results are released too late in most states around the country. In 2023, only 19 states had released their assessment results from 2022-23 by the end of August, when most students are back in school for the next year. Annual statewide assessments are intended to be used by educators, families, and policymakers to ensure students are meeting grade-level standards and intervene if not, inform instruction, and make decisions about allocating resources. However, when results are delayed, families miss the opportunity to enroll their children for summer learning, teachers are no longer with the same group of students, and policymakers have already made decisions about funding and staffing.
5. More work-based learning opportunities in the classroom
Most schools today (especially high schools) are not meeting the needs of students, nor are they preparing them to be successful in the workforce. A new study of Gen Z shows that just one in three students say their schools offer opportunities to learn job-related skills or practice applying or interviewing for jobs. This year, I hope the business community can work with local education systems to create opportunities for students to learn the skills and knowledge needed to fill needed jobs and meaningfully engage in their communities. Community organizations like CareerWise Elkhart County in Indiana show how business and education stakeholders can work together to offer paid apprenticeships to high school students, which can grow into full-time jobs in key sectors for the community.
Whether local schools have already started or are gearing up for the first day of school, business leaders should use this moment to reflect on the items on this wish list relevant for their communities and set goals to support students over the next academic year.
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About the authors
Kyle Butler
Kyle Butler is senior manager of K-12 education programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
