Opinion: America Risks Losing a Whole Generation of Kids. Today’s Schools Can’t Help Them

America’s education system is at a critical juncture as the nation emerges from the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest data from the Center on Reinventing Public Education’s 2024 State of the American Student report reveals a mixed picture: While some students are regaining ground, others — particularly our youngest and most vulnerable — are falling irreparably behind. If schools, policymakers and advocates fail to act decisively, they risk losing an entire generation to the lingering effects of the pandemic.

The warning signs are unmistakable. Younger students, who were in their formative years when schools shut down, are not catching up as quickly as their older peers. Chronic absenteeism remains alarmingly high, creating a vicious cycle of missed learning and disengagement. Meanwhile, teachers are stretched to their limits , grappling with the dual pressures of addressing learning loss and managing their own burnout. These are not just temporary setbacks; they are harbingers of long-term consequences that could define a generation.

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The situation is even more dire for students with disabilities, English learners and others facing unique challenges. The nation’s schools underserved these students even before the pandemic, and now the gaps have widened. Americans are witnessing a deepening of educational inequities that could have devastating effects if policymakers and educational leaders do not intervene.

Perhaps most concerning is that politicians and government agencies aren’t being open and honest with parents and advocates about these problems — or about potential solutions. In a recent analysis , CRPE found that only seven states made it easy for the average parent or website user to see the pre- and post-COVID educational data that every state is required to provide.

The path forward is clear: Educators must urgently expand the use of proven strategies that are already showing results, such as targeted tutoring , high-quality curricula and extended learning time . But these alone will not be enough. The pandemic has laid bare the fact that the nation’s education system was never designed to meet the needs of every student, particularly those with the most complex challenges. Truly supporting all students will mean reinventing the system itself.

This means moving beyond the traditional, one-size-fits-all model of education. Schools must become more flexible, adapting to students rather than forcing them to conform to outdated norms, such as a single teacher per classroom and ineffective special education programs. School superintendents and principals must embrace new staffing and scheduling approaches, such as team teaching , that allow for more personalized instruction and support. Further, schools must harness the power of technology, including artificial intelligence , to provide real-time insights into student progress and tailor learning experiences to each child’s individual needs.

Students who have fallen behind developmentally or academically during the pandemic are being placed at very high rates in special education or language programs that the parents we interviewed for our report described as rigid, unresponsive and fundamentally lacking in high expectations for their children. Students who do not fit neatly in programmatic boxes, such as “twice exceptional” children who are both academically gifted and in need of disability accommodations, exemplify why such boxes too often fail to meet individual needs.

In the pandemic’s wake, it is critical for schools to abandon flawed and outdated approaches. This will mean redeploying staff and reconfiguring schedules to avoid pitting academic tutoring against special education services and supplemental pullout services against core instruction. It will also mean giving parents more options and power if their child is failing to thrive in the assigned program or school.

But systemic change requires more than just innovative ideas — it takes political will and a commitment to evidence, equity, accountability and a relentless focus on innovation. Policymakers, advocates and philanthropists must work together to ensure that the most vulnerable students receive the targeted support they need. This includes providing honest, transparent data on academic performance so parents and educators can make informed decisions and ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed.

The stakes could not be higher. If the current state of affairs continues, COVID-19 will leave its indelible mark on yet another cohort of students — young people whose potential will go unrealized and whose futures will be constrained by the failures of adults to act. The time for incremental change has passed. Those with the power to make these critical shifts must act with urgency, creativity and a deep sense of responsibility to all our students. The future of our society will be shaped by decisions and leadership actions in the coming year.