Chambers can help address learning loss

The combination of?learning loss, mental health challenges and chronic absenteeism?equal learning delays for U.S. students. The average learning delay across the states is 12 weeks.

By the numbers:?In?a recent ACCE webinar, Emma Dorn of McKinsey & Company shared the realities students face post-pandemic.

• Over 17 million students are behind by at least half a school year.
• 16 million students need mental health support and aren’t getting it.
• Chronic absenteeism affects 7 million more students than pre-pandemic, meaning 15 million students regularly miss school.

Why it matters:?This learning delay could significantly impact the future economy.

• A student with 12 weeks of learning delay will experience a?lifetime earning loss?between $54,000-69,000.
• That means the?annual loss in GDP?would be between $142-$211 billion by 2040. That’s a one percent loss each year.

A chamber’s role:?It’s not all bad news.?Several solutions show promise?for these learning challenges.

• A transition to Medicaid funding could help with mental health support. Several chambers have advocated and continue to advocate for its expansion.
• Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding is the biggest infusion of dollars into K-12 education we’ve seen in our lifetimes. As of September 2022,?the average school district had spent about one-third of those funds.?Chambers could serve as a partner to help local districts overcome challenges in distribution, like talent and vendor availability, administrative hurdles and internal planning capacity.

A deeper dive:

• See a?state-by-state comparison?of learning loss and funding available to address it.
• Here’s how districts are?spending ESSER funding.