Educators concerned about how ‘pandemic babies’ are faring in school

Principals report developmental challenges for younger students post-pandemic. Upcoming NAEP results will yield results on academic performance.

“I don’t know what the results look like, but we shall see if they align” with other indicators for this group, such as their reported decline in socioemotional and behavioral development, said Carr during the National Assessment Governing Board’s quarterly meeting on Thursday. NAGB sets policy for the Nation’s Report Card, while NCES administers the assessment and analyzes the results.

In 2021, only 40% of 3- to 4-year-olds and 79% of 5-year-olds were enrolled in school, compared to 49% and 86%, respectively, in 2019. For 2022, data shows those percentages at 47% and 84% respectively, according to NCES.