Equity
It remains a critical challenge to ensure all children—regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, and/or ability—have access to a high-quality education. We are at a pivotal time where communities and schools are navigating issues of equity, poverty, and opportunity gaps against a backdrop of shifting education policy. With access to exceptional data and a multi-disciplinary team of researchers and research partners, we are able to provide unique insight into these important issues.


Researchers examine long-term effects of students being out of school
In this segment on NPR’s Morning Edition, teachers describe the challenges their students face learning from home and NWEA’s Megan Kuhfeld shares projections of potential academic impacts for students of COVID-19 school disruptions.
Morning Edition, NPR
Mentions: Megan Kuhfeld, Beth Tarasawa
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Equity, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss


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.
By: Megan Kuhfeld, James Soland, Beth Tarasawa, Angela Johnson, Erik Ruzek, Jing Liu
Topics: Equity, COVID-19 & schools, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss


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
Mentions: Beth Tarasawa, Megan Kuhfeld
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)
Mentions: Megan Kuhfeld, Beth Tarasawa
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)
Mentions: Megan Kuhfeld, Beth Tarasawa
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Equity, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss


The COVID-19 slide and what it could mean for student achievement
Education Commission of the States blog. Research on seasonal learning and summer loss offers some insights that can help state leaders understand, plan for and address some potential impacts of this extended pause in classroom instruction.
By: Aaliyah Samuel, Beth Tarasawa
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Equity, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss


COVID-19 closures & learning loss
In this webinar, Dr. Beth Tarasawa, Sal Khan, Dr. Jesus Jara, and Kimberly Cockrell share implications of recent research that provides some insights on potential academic impacts of COVID-19, as well as insights for action to help educators, policymakers, and families address and plan for the impacts of this extended pause in classroom instruction.
By: Beth Tarasawa, Megan Kuhfeld
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Equity, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss