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Mother fears kids' education falling behind during pandemic

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TODD COUNTY, Ky. (WTVF) — With six kids, Anna Jacobs' Todd County, Kentucky home can get hectic.

But as the kids navigate schooling during a pandemic, that craziness has turned into frustration, as Anna watches them fall behind in their classes.

"My child's always had A-B honor roll, she's always been a good student. She is now failing and going to be held back" Jacobs describes of one of her daughters. "It is devastating for me as a mother, because I've watched her work her whole life...and she deserves a chance"

And she says it's not just her older kids; her kindergartner is falling behind too.

"Usually by the first six weeks, nine weeks, a child will know how to spell their name. She does not, she can't spell her name."

Anna partly blames the lag in learning on the yo-yo-ing between in-person and online classes.

"It's just like if a child moves from place to place-- change affects children."

Learning loss has become a major issue throughout the region during the pandemic. Earlier this school year, Tennessee state education leaders said they expected major drops in reading proficiency and math skills.

So now Anna says there needs to be some sort of solution to get kids back on track. Otherwise, she worries the problems will be long lasting.

"I don't know if that's going to take us doing summer school or you know if we're going to stay after hours...I fear as a mother, what comes next - what are we going to next?