The Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) test results are a reminder that the pandemic has had significant impact on long-term learning
Los Angeles, CA (Oct. 17, 2023) – When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across Los Angeles in March 2020, Los Angeles Unified not only reacted to the immediate challenges brought by this historic event, but also anticipated the long-term implications on academic achievement and students’ well-being. Unfortunately, we are continuing to see the lasting impacts of learning loss years later. Every educator, school staff member, administrator and counselor remains committed to supporting students so that together, we move forward.
We are all witnessing the profound impact that the pandemic had on student achievement, most notably in today’s presentation on the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) and English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) test results.
“While these latest scores are indicative of the decline students have experienced since the pandemic, we are confident in our plan to correct that loss,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “Los Angeles Unified has the most talented and capable administrators and educators who are equipped to tackle this moment and get our students back on track. We are already actively combating the effects of pandemic learning loss, and are steadfastly committed to lifting all Los Angeles Unified students, both academically and emotionally, from the tremendous impact of that time.”
“Our students faced significant setbacks due to the pandemic,” Board President Jackie Goldberg said. “These SBA results underscore the uphill climb facing our district, but I know that our teachers, administrators and entire Los Angeles Unified community are dedicated to doing right by our students and getting them on track. We will do our best to ensure they have the resources they need in the coming years to do so."
Today’s Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) and English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) test results are a reminder that the pandemic continues to have a significant impact on long-term learning.
While Los Angeles Unified anticipated continuing to see the effects of disrupted learning reflected in this year’s SBA test results, the District is making targeted investments in school communities to accelerate our students’ academic and social-emotional growth. Some of these investments include the following:
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The District implemented a concerted effort to provide cohesive and holistic numeracy support across all grade levels. Demonstrating early success in numeracy, the District will replicate this effort in literacy,
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Focusing on Priority Schools and extending learning time with the upcoming Winter Academy,
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Creating personalized learning plans for students, and;
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Providing every student across the District with the knowledge and skills to be on track for college and career readiness.
Los Angeles Unified is making targeted investments in these areas, and has already started seeing positive results with our 100 Priority Schools making rapid gains, and the students in these schools seeing higher SBA test scores than the previous year. We remain committed to the continued climb ahead: as reflected in the Strategic Plan, we have big goals and are proactively seeking to achieve these goals.
For the most up-to-date information, please follow Los Angeles Unified on Twitter at @laschools and @lausdsup, Instagram at @laschools and @lausdsup and Facebook at @laschools and @AlbertoMCarvalho1.