Research brief


New research provides evidence that student reading and math achievement at the start of the 2022ā23 school year is continuing to rebound from the impacts of the pandemic, though full recovery is likely still several years away.
By: Karyn Lewis, Megan Kuhfeld
Topics: Equity, COVID-19 & schools


The widening achievement divide during COVID-19
New research provides additional evidence of the uneven impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic showing that studentsā math and reading test scores are more variable in spring 2022 than before the pandemic in part because the divide between high and low achievers has widened.
By: Karyn Lewis, Megan Kuhfeld, Meredith Langi, Scott J. Peters, Erin Fahle
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Equity


COVID-19 in the early elementary years: A comparison of achievement in spring 2019 and spring 2022
New NWEA research provides further evidence of the challenges that young learners are currently facing from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
By: Megan Kuhfeld, Karyn Lewis
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Early learning, Equity


Student achievement in 2021-22: Cause for hope and continued urgency
New NWEA research finds signs of academic rebounding in the 2021-22 school year while simultaneously underscoring the sustained need for urgency in responding to the COVID-19 crisis.
By: Megan Kuhfeld, Karyn Lewis
Topics: COVID-19 & schools


The forgotten 20 percent: Achievement and growth in rural schools across the nation
New research using data from over 2,300 rural schools across the US provides unique insight into math and reading achievement of students in rural schools so educators and policymakers can better understand and support the potential needs of rural schools.
By: Angela Johnson, Megan Kuhfeld, James Soland


To what extent has the COVID-19 pandemic affected student achievement and growth in reading and math, and which students have been most affected? Using data from 6 million students in grades 3-8 who took MAP Growth assessments in reading and math, this brief examines how gains across the pandemic (fall 2019 to fall 2021) and student achievement in fall 2021 compare to pre-pandemic trends. This research provides insight to leaders working to support recovery.
By: Karyn Lewis, Megan Kuhfeld
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Equity, Growth modeling


Learning during COVID-19: Reading and math achievement in the 2020-2021 school year
To what extent did COVID-19 disruptions affect student achievement in 2020-2021, and which students have been most affected? New NWEA research aims to provide insight to inform leaders working to support recovery: using data from 5.5 million students in grades 3-8 who took MAP Growth assessments in reading and math, this brief examines how gains across the 2020-21 school year and student achievement in spring 2021 compare to pre-pandemic trends.
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Equity