Research brief
Chronic absenteeism: A continued impediment to academic recovery
July 2026
Description
This research brief examines the relationship between chronic absenteeism and academic recovery from COVID-era disruptions to learning. Using MAP Growth data from 2,000 US school districts, NWEA researchers analyzed whether persistently high absenteeism rates were associated with slower recovery in math and reading.
See MoreTopics: COVID-19 & schools, Growth
Related Topics
Technical Appendix for Chronic absenteeism: A continued impediment to academic recovery
This is the technical appendix for āChronic absenteeism: A continued impediment to academic recovery,ā research brief, which examines the relationship between chronic absenteeism and academic recovery from COVID-era disruptions to learning.
By: Sofia Postell, Emily Morton, Megan Kuhfeld
Products: MAP Growth
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Growth
NWEA research brief examining Kindergarten test scores from more than 400,000 U.S. students and noting patterns that can predict academic success or identify students at risk of falling further behind. This early identification is key for educators, enabling them to intervene and influence learning trajectories before the next critical milestone: third grade.
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Products: MAP Growth
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This is the technical appendix for the NWEA research brief titled, āBehind at the Starting Line,ā which examines Kindergarten test scores from more than 400,000 U.S. students and noting patterns that can predict academic success or identify students at risk of falling further behind. This early identification is key for educators, enabling them to intervene and influence learning trajectories before the next critical milestone: third grade.
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Products: MAP Growth
Topics: Informing instruction, Early learning, Empowering educators, Growth
This is the technical appendix to the research, āAcademically diverse classrooms, deeper needs,ā research brief examines the academic diversity of post-COVID classrooms, including the composition and spread of academic achievement levels. Key findings highlight the challenges facing educators as more students are off-track and further behind grade-level proficiency.
By: Megan Kuhfeld, Emily Morton, Karyn Lewis, Scott J. Peters
Products: MAP Growth
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Academically diverse classrooms, deeper needs: What teachers face after the pandemic
This research brief examines the academic diversity of post-COVID classrooms, including the composition and spread of academic achievement levels. Key findings highlight the challenges facing educators as more students are off-track and further behind grade-level proficiency.
By: Megan Kuhfeld, Emily Morton, Karyn Lewis, Scott J. Peters
Products: MAP Growth
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Empowering educators, Growth, Informing instruction
A Practical Guide for Considering and Interpreting Test Score Differences Among Student SubgroupsĀ
This guide offers recommendations for how to understand what differences may exist when looking at data for student groups, and gives leaders some structure for how they might consider and interpret those differences.
Products: MAP Growth
Topics: Empowering educators, Equity, Growth, Guidance
Kindergarten redshirting: What families should know
This is a family facing fact sheet about the data on the practice of delaying kindergarten, known as redshirting. Schools can use this fact sheet with families considering redshirting or who just want more information.
By: Megan Kuhfeld, Sofia Postell
Products: MAP Growth
Topics: Early learning, Growth