Student Survey: Despite High Numbers Saying Their Schools Were Assigning Work and They Were Completing it, Only Half Said They Were Really Learning During Pandemic

A recent survey conducted by the nonprofit organization YouthTruth reveals that despite the relatively smooth transition to online education during the COVID-19 pandemic, students did not experience significant learning progress. Only 39 percent of students in grades 5 through 12 felt that they were learning a lot on a daily basis, with about half of the students reporting that the assignments given by their teachers were helpful for their learning.

Comparatively, during a previous semester of traditional classes, approximately 60 percent of students claimed to have learned a lot. This discrepancy indicates that the shift to online learning had a negative impact on students’ academic progress.

However, the survey also highlighted that most students found the logistics of online education to be satisfactory. Around 92 percent of students stated that their schools assigned them work, and nearly 80 percent confirmed that they were able to complete and submit their assignments.

It’s important to note that this survey was conducted online, which may have excluded some students who lacked the necessary technology or internet connection. Despite this limitation, YouthTruth’s Executive Director, Jen Wilka, considers the results to be a signal that schools should prioritize academics.

Wilka emphasized the need for schools to move beyond focusing solely on access to devices, technology, and food. Instead, the focus should shift towards creating an environment conducive to learning. While acknowledging the need for adaptations and changes, Wilka highlighted that students generally felt that the logistics of online schooling were functioning relatively well, and teachers were doing their best with the resources available. However, only half of the students felt that they were genuinely learning.

The survey, conducted in May and June, gathered responses from over 20,000 students from 166 public schools across nine states. The students were asked to share their experiences in both English and Spanish.

One student, Arleth Teran, an eighth-grader at Chicago’s CICS West Belden, expressed the challenges she faced during the past few months of online schooling. Teran mentioned that not being able to have face-to-face interactions with her teachers added stress to her experience, especially with her siblings and pets as potential distractions. Despite these difficulties, Teran managed to focus and complete her curriculum successfully. She believes that allowing students to complete anonymous surveys enables them to express their honest opinions about school without fear of judgment, emphasizing the importance of teachers understanding students’ home environments and stress levels as they plan for the upcoming academic year.

The survey also found that students felt their relationships with teachers improved during the pandemic, with 61 percent stating that their teachers were available to provide extra help. This positive feedback regarding teacher-student connections has been valuable in guiding future plans for education. Michael McCarthy, the executive director of student services at Distinctive Schools, where Teran is enrolled, emphasized the significance of student feedback in shaping next year’s strategies. Distinctive Schools will provide training to educators to address issues like health and safety and incorporate the survey findings into new teacher training this summer.

McCarthy points out the importance of listening to students’ voices as educators and leaders navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic. By utilizing survey data, schools can gain insights into students’ experiences and make informed decisions to support their academic progress.

Across the nation, 64 percent of students reported that they faced challenges in completing their schoolwork due to distractions at home, according to a report from YouthTruth.

The national report also revealed several other significant findings:

– One in every five high school seniors stated that their plans for higher education had been altered as a result of the pandemic. This aligns with other studies that have shown a decline in applications for financial aid, indicating that students are reconsidering their future plans.

– Overall, 64 percent of students reported experiencing distractions at home that hindered their ability to focus on schoolwork. Additionally, half of the students said that feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety made online learning more challenging.

– Female students and those who identify with a different gender were more likely to report obstacles such as depression, stress, and anxiety impacting their learning compared to male students.

– Black and Latino students faced more barriers to learning at home compared to white and Asian students.

– Urban schools generally outperformed suburban and rural schools on most metrics. However, students in rural schools reported that they were engaging in more physical exercise and spending more time outdoors than usual.

– Approximately 30 percent of students expressed a sense of connection with their school communities.

The founder of YouthTruth, Wilka, emphasized the importance of educators and leaders taking this information into consideration when planning for the upcoming academic year. She expressed her hope that this data would spark curiosity about students’ experiences and encourage decision-makers to listen to their needs.

School systems that participated in the survey received aggregated data at the system level and had the option to purchase more detailed data at the school level.

The findings from YouthTruth parallel those from other student surveys. Common Sense Media’s survey revealed that 42 percent of participating teenagers felt lonelier than usual, while America’s Promise Alliance reported that over half of young people expressed heightened concerns regarding their own and their family’s physical and emotional well-being. Recent surveys of educators also indicated that teachers in low-income schools spent a significant portion of the shutdown reviewing past lessons and experienced high levels of stress.

It is worth noting that children and teenagers are not the only ones affected by these challenges. Gallup polls conducted in May and June found that slightly more than half of adults experienced high levels of stress throughout the day, with around 40 percent reporting the same level of anxiety.

This report was made possible with financial support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which backs YouthTruth and .

Overall, these findings call for a comprehensive and empathetic approach to address the unique needs of students during these unprecedented times, both in the immediate and long-term future.