1851

In the wake of the pandemic, the world has grown increasingly virtual — and education is no exception. While there are many benefits to virtual learning for both teachers and students — such as flexibility, increased accessibility and students developing technological competency at a young age — it’s currently failing some students, largely the K–2 demographic.Sylvan Learning centers across the country are reporting a high number of students who lack basic reading skills, including a large increase in students who have yet to master the alphabet before third grade.&nbsp;This is not a new phenomenon.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/mathematics/supportive_files/2019_infographic.pdf?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-sylvan-learning-is-helping-solve-the-nations-literacy-crisis-2718834" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">One 2019 study</a> shows that reading competency scores nationwide were on the decline even before the pandemic. Now, COVID and the shift to virtual learning have exacerbated the issue.Strong early reading instruction includes multi-sensory activities, meaning students use different senses to explore and understand early reading skills. For example, we teach students what sound the S makes, how it feels different from the T sound when forming the sounds with your mouth. We have them trace letters with their fingers. We ask them what animal a letter looks like for visual association. We have them sort objects that begin with the letter S. All of these experiences help students embrace early reading and all of the sub-skills needed to make students successful readers.It all sounds so simple — and it is, but it’s an immersive learning experience. The more students can see, feel and hear letters and words, the better they’ll grasp early reading skills. The activities listed above are more difficult to administer through virtual learning, so we lose that immersion — that&nbsp;connection.Socialization also plays a critical role in students’ early learning. In schools and in Sylvan centers, we are seeing elementary students who started the 2021-2022 academic year having never been taught how to walk in lines, share, take turns or sit quietly while the teacher talks or reads a story. Teachers in grades 1–3 need to use time allocated for instruction to teach students behaviors they should have learned in kindergarten, behaviors they missed because schools were virtual during these key years.&nbsp;Third grade is a critical time for young learners that can determine the trajectory of their academic careers, and in many cases, their lives. Studies show that students who don’t read proficiently in third grade are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aecf.org/blog/poverty-puts-struggling-readers-in-double-jeopardy-minorities-most-at-risk?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-sylvan-learning-is-helping-solve-the-nations-literacy-crisis-2718834" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">four times more likely</a> to drop out of high school or fail to graduate. This is because third grade is when students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Students who aren’t ready to make that leap are quickly left behind.&nbsp;What we’re seeing now is a larger population of students who are not ready, and likely won’t be ready, to make that leap.This is especially true for special needs students, minorities and those who live in poverty or for whom English is a second language. These students, who were already underserved before the pandemic, have been the most negatively impacted since. And these students are at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aecf.org/blog/poverty-puts-struggling-readers-in-double-jeopardy-minorities-most-at-risk?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-sylvan-learning-is-helping-solve-the-nations-literacy-crisis-2718834" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">an even greater risk</a> of not graduating high school if they cannot read proficiently by third grade.Like the pandemic itself and so many problems that have come in its wake, there is no easy solution. But as we become more aware of the issues facing our young learners, many schools and parents are turning to resources like&nbsp;<a href="https://sylvanfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-sylvan-learning-is-helping-solve-the-nations-literacy-crisis-2718834" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sylvan Learning</a> for help.Sylvan Learning uses a multi-sensory approach to teaching early reading that mirrors a quality in-class experience. Sylvan’s multi-sensory approach works well both in-person or virtually, which sets it apart from a traditional classroom. With the ability to provide qualified instructors during a historic teacher shortage, along with both in-school and after-school tutoring and support for students who need it most, Sylvan is uniquely positioned to face the literacy crisis head-on.The pandemic has forever changed the lives of people around the world. Students are not immune to that. Together, starting by providing the right tools and the right approach during the crucial K–2 years, we can nurture our young students and position them to thrive in a post-pandemic world.

How Sylvan Learning Is Helping Solve the Nation’s Literacy Crisis

1851 Franchise

As remote learning has become the norm in the wake of the pandemic, K–2 students nationwide are struggling with reading and alphabetic skills. Sylvan is trying to bridge the gap.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

how-sylvan-learning-is-helping-solve-the-nations-literacy-crisis

SweatHouz

Why This P.E. Expert Left Wall Street To Find a New Passion and Purpose with SweatHouz Franchise

why-this-pe-expert-left-wall-street-to-find-a-new-passion-and-purpose-with-sweathouz-franchise

Workout Anytime

Workout Anytime Announces National Partnership With the American Cancer Society

workout-anytime-announces-national-partnership-with-the-american-cancer-society

BooXkeeping

Max Emma Featured on the Cover of The Inc Magazine

Max Emma Featured on the Cover of The Inc Magazine’s “5 Most Pioneering Business Leaders to Follow in 2025”

max-emma-featured-on-the-cover-of-the-inc-magazines-5-most-pioneering-business-leaders-to-follow-in-2025

CapitalSpring

Graphic with orange chart and hand pointing at graph

CapitalSpring Closes on Initial $505 Million of $1 Billion Target just Two Months After the Launch of its Seventh Flagship Investment Fund 

capitalspring-closes-505m-fund-vii

Children's Lighthouse

How Families Are Building Brighter Futures Together With Children’s Lighthouse

how-families-are-building-brighter-futures-together-with-childrens-lighthouse

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Crunch Fitness Franchise - Sixth Street Minority Stake - CR Fitness - 1851 Franchise

Sixth Street Takes Minority Stake in CR Fitness, the Largest Crunch Fitness Franchisee

cr-fitness-crunch-fitness-sixth-street-investment

houses, Why Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

Why the Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

how-franchises-outperform-independent-business-2025-tech-data

Photo of Happinest Brands teams standing together in front of branded vehicles

Happinest Brands Continues Strong 2025 Trajectory With Major Q3 Growth and Strategic Wins

happinest-brands-q3-franchise-growth

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown - 1851 Franchise

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown

franchise-community-support-shutdown

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

Why Franchise Due Diligence Is Like Marriage: An Interview with Joe Manuszak of UNITS Moving and Portable Storage

joe-manuszak-franchise-due-diligence-units-portable-storage

image of mellow mushroom deep dive into financials article from 1851 franchise

Mellow Mushroom Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

mellow-mushroom-franchise-deep-dive

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

woof-gang-bakery-grooming-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

How Sylvan Learning Is Helping Solve the Nation’s Literacy Crisis

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS