-- Pbs.org/newshour.
>> It's been more than a year
since most American
schoolchildren return to class
full-time.
Now school districts are working
to recover learning that was
lost while they were home during
the pandemic.
Researchers say students in low
income neighborhoods lost for
most.
I recently visited a school in
Baltimore that investigated
innovative ways to help students
catch up.
>> Are we ready to listen?
>> A typical morning for fourth
graders at the academy and
southeast Baltimore.
Next right hand only area next
after announcement teacher Maia
led the students through a 50
minute mental health check in.
Collects their minds are not
ready to learn.
The instruction is harder for us
but also for them.
>> This started before the
pandemic but it is taken on new
importance after students return
to the classroom.
One way Baltimore city public
schools is helping students
catch up on unfinished learning
from the pandemic.
>> Because they left at a
younger grade, it is like they
are picking up where they left
off even with us trying our best
to catch them up.
>> Not just academically but
socially and emotionally.
>> I think they sometimes
struggle even with communication
skills like talking to each
other during recess instead of
being on their phone because
they are so used two having
technology in front of them.
Starting with the mindset of how
are you a check in allows them
-- we want to know them beyond
instruction.
>> This is a neighborhood
kindergarten through eighth
grade school where 100% of
students are on free urban dos
-- reduced lunch.
>> They had problems dealing
with the socioemotional skills.
>> The principles as it is
crucial.
>> We want to be intentional
about building the capacity and
students including
self-awareness and responsible
decision-making.
And ensuring that our students
are able to demonstrate empathy
for one another in a real way.
>> They have expanded emphasis
on mental health through
community partnerships and
additional training for
teachers.
Using an infusion of sterile and
state -- federal and state
pandemic funding.
They received funding from the
federal government to address
the effective covid-19.
>> We have expanded -- expanded
our opportunities quite a bit.
>> We speak with the coordinator
for programming of 75 thousand
students across 150 schools.
>> This school like most school
districts experience extended
virtual instruction how has the
pandemic affected students?
>> The students had limited
opportunity in virtual learning
and we now see that as we come
back in person.
We see we have work to do to
bring those students back on
track.
And to accelerate their learning
so we can ensure that they are
ready to do well at the grade
level and beyond.
>> Staffing is a key part of the
strategy.
Additional funding allowed them
to add 15 positions for
teachers.
That allows students -- schools
to put two teachers in most
classrooms.
And offer things like this on
environmental sustainability
area next you concede see the
organic material.
>> Today they help earthworms
support ecosystems.
>> The school district also
partners with that provide one
tutoring is correction.
And this is for -- is --
one-on-one tutoring for students
that need additional
instruction.
>> This help students with
reading fundamentals.
>> It's been an uphill battle.
They solidify the foundational
reading skills.
>> Fourth-grade teacher Melissa.
>> They do not get reading
instruction anymore in the
general education classes.
Small group is a time where kids
that need extra practice can get
instruction with a teac.
>> Half of the students at this
school are English language
learners.
>> When they were at, doing
virtual learning they did not
have any family members that
speak English.
Many of them that are new to the
country had to relearn English
if they already knew it or they
had to take extra steps when
they got back to school to
solidify their English.
>> What is your favorite
subject?
>> These fourth-graders benefit
from being back in the
classroom.
>> Was the greatest thing about
school?
>> I like going to school it is
the best we can play with
friends and find more friends at
school.
It makes me happy to see my
friends again.
To see people doing better.
>> Are there certain areas where
you feel like you have to do
more work to catch up maybe is
math or reading?
>> I think I have to do more
work on math to catch up.
>> Is it because of the pandemic
and being got home for one or
two years?
>> Yeah.
>> How is the small reading
group helping you?
>> I was having a tough time
reading words and when I go to
just words it helps me sound out
the words and learn words and I
learned to read it.
>> Parents like Joanna can see
the difference of personalized
learning.
>> He was in pin -- her son was
in -- he was in kindergarten
when the pandemic happened.
Now he is in school I can see
the progress and him thriving.
>> Helping students thrive is a
big deal for underperforming
schools prior to the pandemic.
They took a step back after the
pandemic.
>> We know prior to the pandemic
our school had important
learning needs and the pandemic
intensified that.
Our energy is forward thinking
and around using our data to
inform instruction in service of
getting the students back on
track.
>> The fourth-graders in these
classes say that they noticed
and appreciate the help they are
getting.
>> I was nervous because I did
not know if it was going to be
new people or new teachers.
Now I'm happy to see my teachers
helping us.
>> Tomorrow we take a look at
the national implications of the
log connected -- law connected
to the pandemic and how the
country can best help their
students.
That is on pbs weekend.