Josh Melendez, parent of Rio Rancho public school students, said he feels his children have fallen behind in their education because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My kids, they’ve had some struggles adapting to online learning, and it kind of put them back a little bit," he told KOB 4 News. "I feel like he’s a little behind because of the COVID pandemic situation."
As another school year ends, thousands of New Mexico K-12 students are still dealing with the impact of the pandemic. From behavioral issues to children still struggling to catch up academically, many parents say it’s been a particularly rough school year.
Albuquerque parent Kelly Zangara told KOB 4 News, “Definitely some behavior stuff, but overall good, and I think everyone is happy to be back."
Whitney Holland, president of the New Mexico branch of the American Federation of Teachers, told KOB 4 News, “This was kind of the first return to normal."
Holland speaks with educators across the state regularly. School districts across New Mexico had none, or very few, disruptions because of COVID-19 this year, she said. Though in-person learning has many benefits, the change from remote learning can be difficult for children, Holland said.
“We’re seeing behaviors in response to that. We’re seeing them on buses, in before- and after-school settings," she told KOB 4 News. "We’re seeing them across the board."
Teachers are noticing more bad behavior than before the COVID-19 pandemic, from fights to bullying, and difficulties navigating relationships and handling conflict, Holland added.
“Those social skills, the friendships, the sharing, all of those pieces," she told KOB 4 News. "School is not just what happens academically; it’s also all of those pieces, too. How to use scissors, how to go through the lunch line with your tray."
Second-graders spent their first two years of school not seeing their classmates, Holland pointed out.
“This year was especially hard because of that burden, feeling that pressure of getting kids caught up, whether that’s socially or academically," she told KOB 4 News.
According to an expert estimate in New Mexico, at the beginning of last school year, students had fallen behind anywhere from six months to two years academically because of the pandemic.
There now may be some positive momentum, Holland said.
“We’ve got kind of a clear map of where we’re going and how we’re going to get there," she told KOB 4 News. "It’s just continuing that progress."
Many now believe that the learning gap may not be as wide as was feared, Holland said.
“I leave those conversations feeling so optimistic about what the future of education in New Mexico looks like," Holland said, according to KOB 4 News. "I’m really excited. I wouldn’t just say that.”
Holland also praised the extended school year bill that state lawmakers passed earlier this year.