How Illinois schools balance pandemic tech gains with student mental health needs

The COVID-19 pandemic permanently transformed how Illinois school districts use technology, creating both lasting digital infrastructure and new challenges for student development. Aurora-area school systems rapidly deployed devices and internet access during remote learning, but now face the dual task of integrating these technological advances while addressing the pandemic’s significant mental health impacts on students.

The big picture: East Aurora School District 131 underwent a swift digital transformation to keep students learning during pandemic closures, establishing technology infrastructure that continues to support education.

• The district quickly distributed computers, iPads, and internet hotspots to students who previously lacked adequate technology access at home.
• More than three years after the height of the pandemic, just over 3% of students still rely on district-provided hotspots to complete coursework.
• Google Workspace became the district’s primary platform for remote learning and remains embedded in daily educational practices.

Mental health challenges: Schools are implementing expanded support services as students continue struggling with pandemic-related social and emotional difficulties.

• Districts have added counseling resources, mental health programs, and dedicated support centers to address heightened anxiety and participation challenges.
• Teachers report ongoing issues with student engagement, attention spans, and classroom interaction skills.
• Schools recognize that addressing these social-emotional impacts is as crucial as academic recovery.

Behind the funding: Districts leveraged federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding for both immediate pandemic response and longer-term educational improvements.

• Initial spending focused on cleaning supplies, social distancing measures, and technological infrastructure needs.
• Later funding phases supported capital projects, learning support programs, and staffing to reduce class sizes.
• Summer and after-school programming expanded to help address learning gaps caused by pandemic disruptions.

Long-term changes: The pandemic accelerated technological integration that will shape education well beyond COVID-19 recovery.

• Online submission platforms and digital learning tools have become permanent fixtures in classroom environments.
• Districts now maintain more flexible calendars, including the ability to implement remote learning days during weather emergencies.
• Schools are positioning themselves to incorporate emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence applications.

Why this matters: How school districts navigate this post-pandemic landscape will significantly impact educational outcomes for a generation of students whose formative years were disrupted by COVID-19.

• The technology infrastructure built during the crisis has created both new opportunities and responsibilities for school systems.
• Addressing the pandemic’s lasting mental health effects remains critical for student success.
• Districts must carefully manage the transition as temporary federal funding expires while many pandemic-related needs persist.