States Spend Billions to Combat Learning Loss From Pandemic

Schools are back but they are still dealing with the setbacks and learning loss all due to the pandemic.  Recently we saw Department of Education data showing 9-year-olds are behind in reading and math, the sharpest decline we’ve seen since 1990.  The learning loss was generally worse in districts that kept classes remote longer.  To combat this, states are spending billions on tutoring, expanded summer school, and more individual attention for students.  Scott Calvert, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more on what schools are doing and how they are tracking progress.

Next, we’ll tell you about LA’s first street psychiatrist trying to tackle mental health in the homeless population where it is desperately needed.  Dr. Shayan Rab leads the Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement (HOME) team and approaches homeless individuals with the hopes of getting them long-term treatment and off the street.  Since this street-based treatment is not done in a traditional setting, Dr. Rab and his team must get creative and resourceful in how they provide help and even fill prescriptions.  Doug Smith, senior writer at the LA Times, joins us for how street psychiatry is trying to pull some out of homelessness.

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