Blog
How is COVID-19 affecting student learning? Initial findings from fall 2020
December 2020
By: Megan Kuhfeld, James Soland, Beth Tarasawa, Angela Johnson, Erik Ruzek, Karyn Lewis

Description
In this Brown Center Chalkboard (Brookings Institution) blog, NWEA researchers share findings from new research that sheds light on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on student learning.
Visit the blog
Topics: COVID-19 and schools, Equity, Measurement & scaling
Related Topics


Preparing early learners: Considerations for supporting the kindergarten class of 2021
Among the many ways in which schools are being transformed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the change in kindergarten enrollment is likely to have important consequences in classrooms across the nation. Because the academic and nonacademic skills students develop in their preschool and early elementary school years are foundational to important longer-term outcomes, understanding these changes and finding ways to effectively support our youngest students’ learning is critical for educators and leaders. Drawing on recent research, we offer four timely considerations for district, school, and classroom leaders.
By: Beth Tarasawa, Angela Johnson, Christine Yankel
Topics: Early learning, COVID-19 and schools, Equity


How are students performing in the wake of COVID-19?
In this CPRE Knowledge Hub Research Minutes podcast, Megan Kuhfeld discusses what NWEA research using fall 2020 test scores of more than four million students shows about the academic achievement and growth of US students, and some of the many questions that remain.
Mentions: Megan Kuhfeld
Topics: COVID-19 and schools, Equity


Why students with dyslexia aren’t “at risk”
Researchers have made substantial gains in our knowledge around dyslexia. It’s time to dispel the outdated notion that students can somehow “get” dyslexia and stop using erroneous, ableist language of students “at risk” for dyslexia.
By: Elizabeth Barker
Topics: Equity, Reading & language arts


How did students fare relative to the COVID-19 learning loss projections?
In this SAGE perspectives blog, Angela Johnson shares some key findings from NWEA research exploring how school shutdowns impacted student achievement at the start of the 2020-21 school year.
By: Angela Johnson, Megan Kuhfeld, Beth Tarasawa
Topics: COVID-19 and schools, Equity


Fact or fiction? The 4 myths of dyslexia
It can be tricky to understand what dyslexia is and what it isn’t. In this blog, learn the facts about four myths about dyslexia and about possible indicators for dyslexia from preschool years through high school.
By: Elizabeth Barker
Topics: Equity, Reading & language arts


Learning during COVID-19: Initial research findings and 4 recommendations for policymakers
In this Education Commission of the States EdNote blog, Beth Tarasawa and Aaliyah Samuel share some key findings and actionable takeaways from NWEA research exploring how school shutdowns impacted student achievement at the start of the 2020-21 academic year.
By: Beth Tarasawa, Aaliyah Samuel
Topics: COVID-19 and schools, Equity


Within-year achievement gains for English Learners
This study reports achievement levels and fall-to-spring gains in grades K to 8 for three groups of English Learners (ELs): ever-ELs who were ever eligible for service; current-ELs who continue to require service; and dually-identified students eligible for both EL and Special Education services.
By: Angela Johnson
Topics: English Language Learners, Equity