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
In data collected from virtual learning environments (VLEs), item response theory (IRT) models can be used to guide the ongoing measurement of student ability.
Topics: Measurement & scaling
Predicting the difficulty and response time of multiple choice questions using transfer learning
This paper reports on whether transfer learning can improve the prediction of the difficulty and response time parameters for ≈ 18,000 multiple-choice questions from a high-stakes medical exam.
Validation and applications of rapid guessing to detect test taker disengagement
The International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) together with the Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education (DIPF) and the Centre for International Student Assessment (ZIB) offer an invitation to a three-day workshop on analyzing log file and process data from international large-scale assessments in education. The event will take place as an interactive webinar and online video conference on June 17th – 19th 2020.
Topics: School & test engagement
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
