Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss
Students don’t learn only during the school year, and academic growth trajectories can change as students move from kindergarten through high school. Academic growth patterns across time—both in school and during the summer—can differ for various groups of students, and those patterns can influence academic achievement gaps. Our research advances understanding of seasonal learning patterns, summer loss, and school and non-school contributions to student growth.
The impact of COVID-19 on student achievement and what it may mean for educators
In this Brookings Brown Center Chalkboard blog, James Soland shares new research projections on potential impacts of COVID-19 school closures on student achievement, how wide the range in achievement might be between high and low-performing students, and what this may mean for educators.
Topics: Equity, COVID-19 & schools, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss
Researchers examine long-term effects of students being out of school
In this segment on NPR’s Morning Edition, teachers describe the challenges their students face learning from home and NWEA’s Megan Kuhfeld shares projections of potential academic impacts for students of COVID-19 school disruptions.
Morning Edition, NPR
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Equity, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss
Will school closures lead to a ‘COVID-19 slide’?
This CPRE Research Minutes podcast explores findings from polls by The Education Trust on parents’ perceptions and concerns about their children’s learning during the COVID-19 crisis, projections by NWEA researchers on potential academic impacts of these unprecedented school closures, and potential strategies to mitigate learning loss and improve equity.
Consortium for Policy Research in Education Knowledge Hub Research Minutes podcast
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Equity, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss
Projecting the potential impacts of COVID-19 school closures on academic achievement
While COVID-19 learning interruptions are unprecedented in modern times, existing research on the impacts of missing school (due to absenteeism, regular summer breaks, and school closures) on learning can inform projections of potential learning loss due to the pandemic. In this study, we produce a series of projections of COVID-19-related learning loss and its potential effect on test scores in the 2020-21 school year based on estimates from prior literature and analyses of typical summer learning patterns of five million students.
Topics: Equity, COVID-19 & schools, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss
Study shows learning loss from school closures could be ‘significant’
In this interview, Dr. Beth Tarasawa and Chris Minnich (NWEA) and Dr. Jesus Jara (Superintendent, Clark County School District), discuss new research projections on potential learning loss from COVID-19 closures and the ongoing efforts to support students during this pandemic.
Nevada Public Radio
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Equity, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss
California could begin new school year as early as July, Gov. Newsom says
The academic year could start in late July or early August to address learning losses brought on by coronavirus-forced school closures affecting about 6.1 million California students, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday.
Los Angeles Times (2020, April 28)
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Equity, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss
How to close Boston’s achievement gap during the coronavirus pandemic
The “COVID slide” will be more profound for students who are unable to access or fully participate in a robust remote learning curriculum. Closing the achievement gap will require Boston city leaders to propose bold, innovative solutions for whenever students are able to return to school in person.
The Boston Globe (2020, April 28)
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Equity, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss
