There's little question that this last year has been trying and messy for students, teachers and parents alike--school is such a vital part of everyday life for families, the COVID interruption was in many senses devastating.  And a new poll out today reflects that:  an overwhelming majority of parents believe their kids lost ground academically during the pandemic.

With schools now getting back to some sense of normalcy, the task ahead for teachers and administrators to make up for a lost year will be a tremendously challenging one.  The question is, can it be done?

Morgan Polikoff is an associate professor of education at USC's Rossier School of Education.