"Despite COVID-19, Basic Academic Skills Maintained" ... Daegu City Launches Full-Scale 'Academic Defense' for Elementary and Middle Schools

SHiNE+ Level 4 Safety Support Network Establishment 'Practice of Dapum Education'

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] The Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education announced on the 17th that it will fully operate the 'Basic and Fundamental Academic Skills Improvement Support Customized Education Program,' which had been selectively implemented due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), following the full return to in-person classes at elementary, middle, and high schools in the district.

Since January, the Daegu Office of Education, which planned the 'Daegu SHiNE+ Project' to establish a four-stage safety support network to improve the basic and fundamental academic skills of elementary and middle school students, has been promoting the academic skills improvement project through various methods despite the COVID-19 situation.

The 'Daegu SHiNE+ Project' refers to a customized education support system through ▲multi-support tailored to individual student types (Supporting) ▲healing according to psychological and emotional characteristics (Healing) ▲individual student support system (Networking) ▲provision of educational resources within classes (Resources of Education).

During the five delays in school attendance caused by COVID-19, to prevent the decline in basic and fundamental academic skills, the Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education continuously provided 'Learning Packages' to first and second graders, and produced and distributed English and math study materials that students could study independently at home. Additionally, it supported basic and fundamental academic skills improvement funds (9 to 12 million KRW per elementary school, 14 million KRW per middle school) to elementary and middle schools, striving to prevent academic skill deficits through students' self-directed learning.

On the 8th, with the full return to school, the Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education began basic academic skills diagnostic testing and allowed schools to autonomously decide the timing of the diagnostic tests according to their circumstances, such as alternating attendance days. Furthermore, students participating in both in-person and remote classes are undergoing hybrid diagnostic testing.

Students who wish to receive an accurate diagnosis of their basic academic skills can access the Daegu Basic Academic Skills Diagnostic and Correction System at any time to participate in the diagnostic test. After diagnosis through the basic academic skills diagnostic test, standardized tests, homeroom teacher observations, and parent consultations, students can receive first-stage support within classes through the Basic Academic Skills Correction System, the One Class Two Teachers system, and learning assistant instructors. The One Class Two Teachers system is currently operating in 80 elementary schools and 101 middle schools. In the second semester, 400 students from Daegu National University of Education will support academic skills improvement as learning assistant instructors in elementary schools.

If support within classes is insufficient, the Education Office's Basic Academic Skills Support Center conducts secondary diagnostics such as brain-based student understanding tests and dyslexia diagnostic tests, and provides second-stage support through Dodream Schools and basic and fundamental academic skills improvement programs according to the causes of academic difficulties.

Additionally, students requiring further support receive third-stage assistance through brain-based learning coaching at the Basic Academic Skills Support Center. If support from schools and the Education Office is still insufficient, a tertiary diagnosis is conducted in collaboration with specialized external institutions, and based on diagnostic factors, fourth-stage support is provided through regional specialized institutions linked with brain-based learning vouchers and dyslexia vouchers.

Gang Eun-hee, Superintendent of Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education, emphasized, “Guaranteeing basic and fundamental academic skills is the greatest responsibility of public education. Even amid the COVID-19 crisis, we will practice inclusive education that leaves no child behind through meticulous customized learning support.” She added, “During these difficult times, we will make greater efforts to ensure the appropriateness of support timing and continuity of support for students with basic academic skill deficiencies who are in blind spots.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.