Report: Camden students rebounding from pandemic learning loss

CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Education experts say learning loss from the pandemic has affected children all over the world, with greater impacts felt in low-income neighborhoods. However, a recent report from a Camden nonprofit says students in the city are rebounding from pandemic learning loss, with improved numbers for the first time in a couple of years.

The Camden Education Fund’s report shows a lot of progress for students, with recent state standardized test scores rebounding from post-pandemic levels. Camden schools were found to have narrowed the citywide and state proficiency gap in English language arts by five percentage points since 2015, from 36 to 31 — with a 20% proficiency rate in 2023.

Camden schools also narrowed the math proficiency gap between city and state by two points, with a 10% proficiency rate last year, up from 8% in 2022.

Executive director Giana Campbell says efforts to provide additional tutoring for the students that were the furthest behind has paid off.

“One of the big things we’ve learned since the pandemic is just how important those supports are, not only in the classroom, but also outside of the classroom,” said Campbell.

“One of the other things that we’ve supported schools around and heard from schools is making sure that the type of curriculum and instruction that students are working on is rigorous and that we’re setting a high bar for our students.”

Campbell says there’s still and will always be hard work ahead, which is why she says one of the most important initiatives moving forward is to ensure Camden can hire and retain the very best teachers.

“We know that the number one indicator for student success is a great teacher,” she said.

According to Cambpell, the fund would also like to see more programs and support offered to students outside of the classroom, “whether it be mental health supports, social emotional learning, recreational opportunities to really nurture the whole child.”

CORRECTION: A previous version of this report stated proficiency levels were at their highest in a decade. Math and English proficiency rates in Camden have yet to surpass numbers from 2019.