State Superintendent Mark Johnson told a congressional committee today that it is important that as students return to classrooms in the fall that North Carolina teachers be empowered with more tools to support personalized learning. Superintendent Johnson told the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor that as a result of classrooms being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, educators will see a significant loss of learning.
“When students return in the fall, we will need to help all students catch up, but we don’t have to do that with one-size-fits all strategies,” Superintendent Johnson told the committee. “The technology and curriculum options we are purchasing can also help teachers more easily meet students at their ability level and help students catch up at their own pace.”
Superintendent Johnson pointed out that younger students can use the technology to catch up on things such as reading skills, while older students can use it to plan for life after high school.
“Our older students can use this technology to discover the pathways to success that they decide work best for them after school; whether that is a high-valued credential, military service, or a degree from a community college or four-year institution,” said Superintendent Johnson.
Superintendent Johnson outlined a number of areas that North Carolina was able to address during the crisis, including keeping meal services available and making the transition to remote learning practically overnight.
“Teachers and school leaders connected with students where they could and if they couldn’t, assignments were delivered by school bus, over the phone, and even through the United States Postal Service,” Superintendent Johnson told the committee.
“Students, educators, parents, and caretakers across North Carolina and the nation have made difficult sacrifices to confront this crisis, and our nation has shown that we have the resilience to overcome it,” said Superintendent Johnson.
