In a recent statement, Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, attributed the decline in math scores on the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Weingarten emphasized the detrimental effect of remote learning on students' academic performance and called for proactive measures to mitigate learning loss during future public health crises.

The release of the PISA math evaluation on Tuesday revealed a significant global decrease in math and reading scores. Weingarten stated that these results underscored the devastating consequences of the pandemic for student learning worldwide. Stressing the significance of in-person learning, she highlighted the efforts made by educators and their unions to advocate for the safe reopening of U.S. schools since April 2020.

During the Trump administration, Weingarten criticized the push for nationwide school reopening in July 2020, labeling it as "reckless" and "cruel" considering the escalating COVID-19 cases and fatalities. She raised concerns about the potential chaos and risks associated with fully reopening schools, as stated in interviews with The Guardian. Weingarten successfully lobbied the Biden administration to adopt a more cautious approach, allowing some teachers to continue working remotely during the winter of 2021.

Weingarten faced controversy earlier this year when accusations emerged regarding her alleged misrepresentation of her prior positions on school reopening. Despite the accusations, she remains committed to prioritizing public schooling and investing in effective solutions that aid students' recovery and success in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The PISA assessment results demonstrated a decline of 13 points in math scores for U.S. 15-year-olds compared to pre-pandemic levels, aligning with a global downward trend. Peggy Carr, the commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, downplayed the direct correlation between school closures and the decrease in scores. She suggested that other factors may have contributed to the decline.

The National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers' union in the U.S., responded to the PISA results by emphasizing the need for increased investment in American education. NEA President Becky Pringle highlighted the importance of combining high levels of achievement with robust support for student learning and well-being, as observed in high-performing nations and systems according to previous PISA results.

While the debate continues regarding the precise impact of the pandemic on educational outcomes, it is evident that addressing learning loss and ensuring the long-term success of students require collaborative efforts from educators, unions, policymakers, and other stakeholders. The focus remains on preparing for future challenges and developing effective strategies to support student learning in an evolving educational landscape.