WS/FCS among the top districts in North Carolina for learning recovery

A nationwide study conducted by Harvard and Stanford University researchers found that Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools has made some of the greatest strides in learning recovery in North Carolina. 

The study is part of a project called the Education Recovery Scorecard. 

In 2022, the researchers released a report detailing pandemic achievement losses across the country. 

The data showed that Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools had the highest amount of math learning loss in the state– more than a full grade equivalent. But according to the project’s latest report, the district now finds itself among the top in North Carolina for learning gains. 

Superintendent Tricia McManus explained how she learned about the findings at a school board meeting on Tuesday. 

“I didn't even know this was coming out. And I was in a national meeting and the executive director from Council of Great City Schools, called out our district as ‘Great job on your recovery.’ And I was, I was thinking, 'What is that?' And so he sent the report," McManus said.

That report shows that last school year, students in the district improved the equivalent of half a grade level or more in math and reading.  The state average improvements for those subjects were closer to a quarter of a grade level. 

McManus said the district also saw some of the most improvements for minority students in the state. 

“We are number one in North Carolina, for white and Hispanic student increases in reading scores. Number two for Black students increases in reading scores," McManus said. "As you all know, we track a lot of our data by race, because we are trying to close achievement gaps.”

Still, researchers with the project say even if North Carolina schools continue improving at last year’s rate of recovery, they won’t catch up to pre-pandemic achievement levels by the time federal COVID-19 funding runs out in September. 

Because of that, districts are encouraged to implement high-quality tutoring programs and to increase learning opportunities for this summer.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.