(FreePressBeacon.com) – In a worrying report about future generations, nearly 80% of U.S. teachers believe that kids today are less ready to start elementary school than they were in the past.
This is the highest percentage reported in a worldwide survey that included several countries.
About 47% of the American teachers surveyed pointed to the aftereffects of COVID-19 disruptions as the reason for this decline among the nation’s youngest students.
The survey asked teachers to reflect on changes in school readiness over recent years and whether kids are more prepared, just as prepared or less prepared than before.
A striking 78% of U.S. educators reported that children are less prepared, while a mere 4% felt they are more prepared, and 18% saw no change.
In the U.S., teachers noticed that many 4- and 5-year-olds struggle with basic self-care like washing hands and using the toilet independently.
Kids also seem to have trouble with recognizing numbers and letters or reading simple words, including their own names.
According to the study conducted by the U.K.-based charity Their World in partnership with Hall & Partners, this lack of readiness is more pronounced in the U.S. than in other surveyed countries like the U.K., the Netherlands, Brazil, South Africa and India.
For comparison, 60% of U.K. teachers, 64% of Brazilian teachers and 55% of Dutch teachers felt their youngest students were less ready.
In contrast, 70% of teachers in India and 45% of teachers in South Africa saw their students as more prepared.
In the U.S., 70% of teachers attributed the lack of readiness to children not attending pre-K.
Additionally, 57% of the teachers mentioned poverty and a lack of at-home preparation for school as contributing factors.
Former special-education teacher and State Assembly Education Committee chair Michael Benedetto discussed how important early instruction like pre-K and 3-K is and highlighted the critical role of parenting in a child’s education.
Theirworld president Justin van Fleet stressed the urgent need for increased public investment in childcare and early education to reduce the stark disadvantages facing America’s youngest and most vulnerable populations.
He highlighted that early childhood is a crucial period for brain development and called leaders to recognize the importance of investing in these early years to foster healthier, wealthier and more sustainable societies.
The global survey involved over 2,600 teachers, including 506 from the U.S.
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