As students and teachers reunited in classrooms this year, challenges remained: many still grieved over lost loved ones, battled mental health issues, and struggled to readapt to in-person learning.
For many students, the pandemic changed the course of their lives.
Increased stress and anxiety among students has led to a strong aversion to being in the classroom, one possible reason behind the rise of chronic absenteeism in NYC public schools. While some high school graduates were able to continue moving forward, we know that other students were not ready to return to normal and had difficulty transitioning because of multiple setbacks. For instance, many students had to take care of ill relatives or work to financially support their families, as economic insecurity also soared during the pandemic.
The likelihood of high school graduates pursuing a four-year degree dropped from 71% to 51% in the last two years, according to ECMC Group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students succeed academically and professionally. The percentage of teens who believed education beyond high school was necessary also decreased.
Chalkbeat wants to hear from New York City high school graduates about how your school year went, and what’s ahead for you.
Tell us:
- What are your thoughts and plans beyond graduation?
- What advice would you give to upcoming high school seniors?
- How could schools better serve students?
We look forward to receiving your submissions on the form below. Questions? We’re always listening at community@chalkbeat.org. If you are having trouble viewing this form, go here.
