Research brief
Hot test days, lower math scores: How heat affects student achievement
This NWEA research report examines the impact of environmental temperatures on student performance in math and reading, and whether those effects are more extreme for students in high-poverty schools, where cooling conditions may be less reliable.
By: Sofia Postell, Megan Kuhfeld, Susan Kowalski, Jazmin Isaacs
Products: MAP Growth
Trend Snapshots: Math Recovery Continues, Reading Remains Stalled in Spring 2025
This short research brief highlights trends seen in the latest data released in the NWEA Map Growth National Dashboard. In this first edition of Trend Snapshots, key findings from Spring 2025 data highlight a modest, incremental recovery post COVID, but stalled progress in reading achievement.
By: Karyn Lewis, Megan Kuhfeld
Products: MAP Growth
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Growth
Severe weather events are no longer isolated anomalies. They are becoming a regular part of the school year in communities across the country. This brief highlights how severe weather events can cause deep and lasting disruptions to student learning and well-being, often in ways that far exceed the immediate days schools are closed. It also makes clear that while some communities are disproportionately at risk, no school is immune.
By: Megan Kuhfeld, Jim Soland, Sofia Postell
Boys regain the advantage in middle school STEM skills: Post-COVID trends in gender achievement gaps
The research study used a robust set of data from three national assessments to examine trends in gender gaps in 8th grade STEM skills over the course of the pandemic.
By: Megan Kuhfeld, Karyn Lewis, Gustave Robinson
Products: MAP Growth
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Equity, Growth, Math & STEM
Practitionerās Guide to Integrating Literacy and Science
This is the accompanying guide to the research brief, Integrating Literacy and Science: A Powerful Partnership for Student Success, which describes four key components of effective integration of literacy and science instruction at the elementary level. In this practitionerās guide, we provide sample lessons to demonstrate each of these components in action in an elementary classroom.
By: Scott J. Peters, Susan Kowalski, Ayesha K. Hashim
Products: MAP Growth
Topics: Equity, Growth, Informing instruction, Math & STEM
Integrating Literacy and Science: A Powerful Partnership for Student Success
This research brief explores the connection between science and literacy instruction documenting the benefits of integrated science and literacy instruction at the elementary level, and highlighting the benefits of integrating instruction while providing research-based guidance on how to effectively do this.
By: Susan Kowalski, Ayesha K. Hashim, Scott J. Peters
Topics: Growth, Equity, Informing instruction, Math & STEM
MAP Reading Fluency with Coach Evidence Base
This document provides an overview of the research underlying MAP Reading Fluency with Coachās AI-powered intelligent reading tutor and the research on key elements of early literacy instruction. It describes the components of the MAP Reading Fluency with Coach pedagogy and the research base supporting each component.
By: Amy Endo
Products: MAP Reading Fluency
Topics: Early learning, Empowering educators, Innovations in reporting & assessment, Reading & language arts