12-02-2025
Math performance has improved for CMS students since pandemic; reading, absenteeism worsened: Report
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Data from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools was included in the latest Education Recovery Scoreboard that demonstrates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student learning in North Carolina.
The report was released Tuesday by the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University and The Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University.
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According to the report, CMS students demonstrated measurable progress in math recovery between 2022 and 2024, narrowing the gap created by the pandemic. However, reading scores, mirroring national and state trends, continued to decline.
CMS officials say this finding reinforces the urgent need for sustained intervention and strategic work around literacy.
Key findings from the report include:
Math Recovery: CMS students saw an improvement of 0.26 grade equivalents in math from 2022 to 2024, demonstrating efforts to close the learning gap. However, scores remain 0.90 grade equivalents below 2019, pre-pandemic levels.
Reading Challenges: Reading performance declined by 0.18 grade equivalents from 2022 to 2024, bringing the total decline since 2019 to 0.89 grade equivalents.
Chronic Absenteeism: Student absenteeism has increased significantly since 2019, reflecting a broader challenge that must be addressed alongside academic recovery.
CMS Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill addressed how the district is taking action based on the report.
'The pandemic's impact on education is undeniable, but our focus remains on providing targeted interventions to support student growth,' she said. 'Although we have made strides in math, we recognize the continued need to invest in literacy initiatives and combat chronic absenteeism. We cannot do this work alone, so we are calling on community leaders, policymakers, and families to work alongside us in ensuring every child has the resources to succeed.'
To accelerate student recovery, CMS has implemented the following initiatives:
High-Impact Tutoring Programs targeting students who need additional support in reading and math
Extended Learning Opportunities such as summer enrichment programs and after-school academic interventions.
Community Partnerships to reduce chronic absenteeism through mentorship and engagement efforts.
The Education Recovery Scorecard is in its third year of reporting on the pace of academic recovery in district's nationwide following the global pandemic which began in 2020. Data was collected from 43 states.
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