Biddle discusses pandemic-related achievement gaps with Maine Monitor
Catharine Biddle, associate professor of educational leadership, talked with The Maine Monitor about how school officials in the state are managing student achievement gaps exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who already faced challenges, such as economic, food or housing insecurity, have seen those challenges grow during the pandemic, Biddle told the Monitor. In addition, school officials noticed other problems associated with school closures in the spring, including poor attendance, lack of structure and internet access. “I do think we can say pretty confidently that the kids most disadvantaged by the pandemic are the kids who were already the most disadvantaged,” said Biddle.