{"id":26492,"date":"2026-05-07T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/?p=26492"},"modified":"2026-05-06T07:42:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T14:42:11","slug":"what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/2026\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now\/","title":{"rendered":"What the latest research says about early learners\u2014and why it matters now"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26494\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_850x300_hero.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"850\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_850x300_hero.jpeg 850w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_850x300_hero-300x106.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_850x300_hero-768x271.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_850x300_hero-720x254.jpeg 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/>It\u2019s easy to make assumptions about our youngest learners. Maybe you\u2019ve heard that early elementary students were mostly spared from pandemic disruptions. Or that schools are failing boys. Or that delaying kindergarten gives kids a lasting academic edge. But what does the data actually say about early learners?<\/p>\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/resource-center\/resource\/big-insights-on-your-littlest-learners\/\">\u201cBig insights on your littlest learners,\u201d<\/a> the latest webinar in our <em>Research Live series<\/em>, NWEA researchers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/research\/our-researchers\/megan-kuhfeld\">Megan Kuhfeld<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/research\/our-researchers\/karyn-lewis\">Karyn Lewis<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/research\/our-researchers\/naomi-duran\">Naomi Duran<\/a> take a closer look at these common beliefs\u2014and unpack what national <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/map-growth\/\">MAP\u00ae Growth\u2122<\/a> data reveals about early learning today.<\/p>\n<h2>Assumption #1: Early learners were largely spared from COVID disruptions<\/h2>\n<p>At first glance, it might seem like our youngest students bounced back quickly following COVID school closures. And in some ways, that\u2019s true. According to data shared in the webinar, kindergarten math and reading achievement have remained mostly stable since the pandemic. But the story changes in grades 1 and 2, where math shows a modest, incremental recovery and reading remains stalled, with little evidence of returning to pre-pandemic levels.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Average K\u20132 spring math achievement levels, 2017\u201325<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26495 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2050x1172_lineGraphMathAchievement.png\" alt=\"A line graph shows that math achievement has remained mostly stable since the start of the pandemic for kindergarteners. Although achievement for first and second graders is below pre-COVID levels, achievement gaps have narrowed significantly.\" width=\"2050\" height=\"1172\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2050x1172_lineGraphMathAchievement.png 2050w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2050x1172_lineGraphMathAchievement-300x172.png 300w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2050x1172_lineGraphMathAchievement-1920x1098.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2050x1172_lineGraphMathAchievement-768x439.png 768w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2050x1172_lineGraphMathAchievement-1536x878.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2050x1172_lineGraphMathAchievement-2048x1171.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2050x1172_lineGraphMathAchievement-720x412.png 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2050px) 100vw, 2050px\" \/><strong>Average K\u20132 spring reading achievement levels, 2017\u201325<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26496 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2518x1492_lineGraphReadingAchievement.png\" alt=\"A line graph shows that reading achievement has remained mostly stable since the start of the pandemic for kindergarteners. For first and second grade, however, we\u2019re seeing drops in 2020 and little evidence of recovery by 2025.\" width=\"2518\" height=\"1492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2518x1492_lineGraphReadingAchievement.png 2518w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2518x1492_lineGraphReadingAchievement-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2518x1492_lineGraphReadingAchievement-1920x1138.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2518x1492_lineGraphReadingAchievement-768x455.png 768w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2518x1492_lineGraphReadingAchievement-1536x910.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2518x1492_lineGraphReadingAchievement-2048x1214.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_2518x1492_lineGraphReadingAchievement-720x427.png 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2518px) 100vw, 2518px\" \/><em>What this means for your classroom<\/em><\/h2>\n<p>If you teach first or second grade, this likely won\u2019t surprise you. But it does underscore an important point: some of your learners may still need targeted support\u2014especially in reading. As you plan instruction, consider the following questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Is assessment data for my class showing students are behind?<\/li>\n<li>Are gaps showing up more in reading than math?<\/li>\n<li>What additional scaffolds might help accelerate recovery?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><em>Learn more<\/em><\/h2>\n<p>Read our research briefs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/research\/publication\/trend-snapshots-covid-19-recovery-in-k-2-positive-recovery-trends\/\">\u201cTrend snapshots: COVID-19 recovery in K\u20133, positive recovery trends\u201d<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/research\/publication\/from-loss-to-recovery-diverging-paths-and-uneven-gains-across-schools\/\">\u201cFrom loss to recovery: Diverging paths and uneven gains across schools\u201d<\/a> to learn more about learning gaps and recovery following pandemic school closures.<\/p>\n<h2>Assumption #2: Schools are failing young boys<\/h2>\n<p>You\u2019ve probably seen the headlines proclaiming that schools aren\u2019t meeting the needs of boys. But the data tells a more nuanced story. According to the analysis shared in the webinar:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Gender gaps do not widen during the school year<\/li>\n<li>Boys eventually catch up in math<\/li>\n<li>Girls maintain an advantage in reading, but the gap remains relatively stable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><em>What this means for your classroom<\/em><\/h2>\n<p>While this analysis doesn\u2019t mean gender differences don\u2019t exist, it does suggest schools are not driving widening gaps between boys and girls. We encourage teachers to consider the following questions when looking at growth and achievement in their classroom:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How are my individual students growing throughout the school year?<\/li>\n<li>Which instructional strategies are helping kids succeed?<\/li>\n<li>How can I support engagement with both girls and boys?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><em>Learn more<\/em><\/h2>\n<p>For more on this research, see <a href=\"https:\/\/edworkingpapers.com\/ai25-1297\">\u201cGender gaps in the early grades: Questioning the narrative that schools are poorly suited to young boys.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Assumption #3: Delaying kindergarten gives students a lasting advantage<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cRedshirting\u201d\u2014or delaying kindergarten entry\u2014has become a popular strategy for families hoping to give their child a boost in school. And at first, it seems to work: students who delay entry start kindergarten with a noticeable academic advantage. That advantage disappears by the time kids reach third grade, however.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Math and reading performance for redshirted kindergarteners from kinder through grade 3<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-26497 size-full alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_640x388_lineGraphsRedshirtingData.png\" alt=\"Two line graphs, one for math and one for reading, show that redshirted kindergarteners begin school with an academic advantage, an advantage that fades by the spring of third grade.\" width=\"640\" height=\"388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_640x388_lineGraphsRedshirtingData.png 640w, https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2026\/05\/what-the-latest-research-says-about-early-learners-and-why-it-matters-now_640x388_lineGraphsRedshirtingData-300x182.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>While redshirting offers young learners some advantages, including higher maturity, the loss of an academic edge isn\u2019t the only downside. Redshirting can also result in additional childcare costs and a slightly higher risk of dropping out of high school and having lower earnings upon entering the workforce.<\/p>\n<h2><em>What this means for your conversations with families<\/em><\/h2>\n<p>When families ask educators about delaying kindergarten, the data can help guide a more informed conversation. Instead of focusing only on early advantages, consider the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Will those benefits last?<\/li>\n<li>What are the long-term tradeoffs?<\/li>\n<li>What does this specific child need to be successful?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><em>Learn more<\/em><\/h2>\n<p>See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/research\/publication\/kindergarten-redshirting-what-families-should-know\/\">\u201cKindergarten redshirting: What families should know\u201d<\/a> and our research brief <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/research\/publication\/should-kindergartners-be-redshirted-costs-likely-outweigh-academic-benefits\/\">\u201cShould kindergarteners be redshirted? Costs likely outweigh academic benefits\u201d<\/a> for more on this topic.<\/p>\n<h2>Watch the webinar<\/h2>\n<p>As our researchers demonstrate, early learners have not been completely insulated from pandemic disruptions, narratives about boys in school don\u2019t always match the data, and popular solutions like redshirting may not deliver lasting benefits. Each of these insights has real implications for how we support students, plan instruction, and communicate with families.<\/p>\n<p>To learn more, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/resource-center\/resource\/big-insights-on-your-littlest-learners\/\">watch the webinar<\/a>, now available on demand. And to read more about supporting early learners, see our archives of posts here on <em>Teach. Learn. Grow. <\/em>on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/category\/ela\/\">ELA<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/topic\/science-of-reading\/\">science of reading<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/topic\/math\/\">math<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/topic\/using-assessment-data\/\">using assessment data<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/product\/map-growth\/\">MAP Growth<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s easy to make assumptions about our youngest learners. Maybe you\u2019ve heard that early elementary students were mostly spared from pandemic disruptions. Or that schools are failing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":142,"featured_media":26501,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"In \u201cBig insights on your littlest learners,\u201d NWEA researchers take a look at what national MAP Growth data reveals about early learners.","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[646,622,627,629,647,635,637],"grade_level":[833],"product":[],"theme":[],"coauthors":[{"id":142,"name":"Monica Rodr\u00edguez, NWEA","link":"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/author\/mrodriguez\/","avatar_urls":{"24":"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2025\/11\/cropped-Monica-headshot-24x24.jpeg","48":"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2025\/11\/cropped-Monica-headshot-48x48.jpeg","96":"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/uploads\/2025\/11\/cropped-Monica-headshot-96x96.jpeg"}}],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.14 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What the latest research says about early learners\u2014and why it matters now - Teach. 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