The proficiency of New Mexico’s elementary students in math and reading has dropped significantly amid the pandemic, with only 31% achieving it, according to a review of preliminary academic data made public Wednesday.
The drop in math and reading proficiency from 37% in the 2018-2019 school year, before the pandemic began, has prompted legislators to suggest that elementary students should spend longer hours in class or face a longer school year.
The report estimated that students lost between 10 and 60 days of learning time because of the coronavirus pandemic. Even before the pandemic, New Mexico students spent fewer school days than their counterparts in many other states. Some rural New Mexico schools have four-day school weeks.
Amid the pandemic, the state’s students faced school closures, were absent more frequently, and many had limited access to online learning.
Nonpartisan legislative policy researchers said in the report that about half of the state’s school districts rejected funding for extra school days because of criticism from parents and staff.
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