October 30, 2022

A New Study Offers the First Clear Picture of Learning Loss at Local Level

T The Education Recovery Scorecard, developed in collaboration with Harvard University's Centre for Education Policy Research (CEPR) and Stanford University's Educational Opportunity Project, published a comparable snapshot of district-level learning loss during the pandemic. The reports were created using the recently released 2022 NAEP data and data from states that publicly reported district proficiency rates on their Spring 2022 assessments.

The new study, which can be found on the Education Recovery Scorecard website, includes data on remote weeks and federal recovery dollars (ESSER) received per district, providing state and local leaders with the information they need to recalibrate their current recovery plans.

Thomas J. Kane, CEPR Faculty Director, commented on the Education Recovery Scorecard study, saying, "The pandemic swept across the country like a swarm of tornadoes.

Some communities were relatively unaffected, while nearby schools were devastated. The Education Recovery Scorecard is the first high-resolution map of the tornadoes' path, designed to assist local leaders in assessing the extent of the damage and directing local recovery efforts."

…the recent Nation's Report Card results must serve as a wake-up call to revisit our existing plans and scale up proven academic recovery strategies.... we should ensure a robust and qualified teacher and leader workforce, intensive and frequent tutoring aligned to high-quality curriculum, and after-school and summer enrichment programming...

According to a source who dug deep into the report, "One thing discovered is that there is variation even within a district.

School districts are the first line of defence in assisting children to catch up. The more they understand the patterns of learning loss, the more effectively they will learn to target their resources to reduce educational inequality of opportunity and help children and communities thrive."

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona responded to the study by saying, "We must muster the political will at the state and local levels to match the urgency and federal investment in our students through the American Rescue Plan's historic $122 billion.

The recent Nation's Report Card results must serve as a wake-up call to revisit our existing plans and scale up proven academic recovery strategies. We should ensure a robust and qualified teacher and leader workforce, intensive and frequent tutoring aligned to high-quality curriculum, and after-school and summer enrichment programming."

While many states and districts are using their share of the $190 billion in federal aid to expand tutoring, summer school, and extended days, many of these efforts are insufficient to address learning loss.

Using the study's estimates districts can ensure that their plans are proportionate to the losses of their students. While recent data is concerning, catching up to 2019 achievement levels is a low bar. We must set higher goals. Our students should be leading the way in the world.

Posted in News and tagged News, Education Recovery Scorecard, Harvard University, Centre for Education Policy Research (CEPR), Stanford University, Educational Opportunity Project, Learning Loss
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