10 Comments

Thank you for this! I work in the "education establishment" and am broken-hearted by what the data is screaming at us (yet many parents and community members want to sweep under the rug). I know kids and families and teachers have been through hell and back, but, my god, we must summon the courage to act with urgency. We can't relegate this generation--particularly this generation of high school students--to a future in which they don't have the skills to fulfill their great potential.

No great solutions or epiphanies to offer. Just thanks and appreciation for what you do!

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Thank you for also feeling this urgent need to help young people. Too many kids need our help right now. I really appreciate your note. Sometimes I worry that nobody cares.

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Please keep up your efforts! The more voices we have communicating to parents and families, the better. You are not alone in caring!!!

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The book you're reading is not titled Elizabeth II. The title refers to the marriage of George VI and (Queen) Elizabeth, her mother.

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Yup! Sorry, for the typo!

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I'm interested/dreading in the longer effects of this. The children and young people with marred educations are still graduating high school, and being admitted to college. I fear that when you suggest they aren't capable of advanced degrees, the requirements of those degrees will just be lowered to meet them (as HS and undergrad already are).

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My academic friends tell that things are still not back to normal on their campuses. I was talking with a philosophy prof a few weeks ago, and he said he's only getting about half attendance. Whew.

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I was teaching during covid; attendance (online classes) collapsed. Seems like it hasn't recovered.

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Laura, after reading your latest piece I'm feeling higher levels of anxiety and depression. Gotta talk more about solutions. And subsidies to students seems likely to become another racket.

Um, anonymous

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Thanks, Dad!

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