Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss
Students don’t learn only during the school year, and academic growth trajectories can change as students move from kindergarten through high school. Academic growth patterns across time—both in school and during the summer—can differ for various groups of students, and those patterns can influence academic achievement gaps. Our research advances understanding of seasonal learning patterns, summer loss, and school and non-school contributions to student growth.
Former Sec. of Education on the pitfalls of remote learning
Over 1.5 billion children and youth remain out of school worldwide. Former U.S. Secretary of Education John King says that this will represent a lasting impact of the pandemic. He joins Hari Sreenivasan to talk about the challenges faced by some 50 million American students–and to share how a place of learning became a shelter when tragedy hit his home.
PBS Amanpour and Company
Mentions: Megan Kuhfeld, 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
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
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
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
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
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