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Education Dive
Report: Up to 4 months of 'COVID slide' learning loss expected in K-5
Shawna De La Rosa
Aug. 31, 2020
Dive Brief:
An analysis from Illuminate Education found coronavirus school closures
will likely cause a “COVID slide” of two to four months of learning
loss, but the gaps are expected to be less pronounced in students who
frequently interacted with teachers than in those who did not.
The research suggests students will have significant gaps in reading
and math, with reading loss of about two months across the K-2 grades,
but greatest for kindergartners. Oral reading fluency loss is expected
to be most pronounced among 5th-graders.
Math gaps are expected to be highest across all K-5 grades, with
projections showing four months of learning loss. The report recommends
educators plan a "multi-tiered system of supports" to address the
anticipated learning gaps, with fall screenings as a critical component
in determining each student’s level of learning loss level, and more
time spent on reading and math in early grades to bridge the gaps in
those core subjects.
Dive Insight:
Other reports echo similar expectations. Data from NWEA indicates that
students will return to school with about 70% of typical learning gains
in reading and less than 50% of typical learning gains in math. Jacob
Bruno, vice president of professional learning at NWEA, told Education
Dive early collection of information on students’ individual progress
will be key to closing the gap.
This learning loss comes at a time when many educators will be teaching
virtually for the first time. When schools closed this spring, many
high-poverty districts focused more on offering support to students,
while teachers in more affluent districts were more likely to teach
virtually. This year, higher poverty schools are more likely to be all
remote. Many schools will hold students to higher expectations than in
the spring, including taking attendance, returning to a normal grading
scale and providing longer hours of online instruction.
Many parents responding to a Learning Heroes’ survey are concerned
about their children’s learning losses, as well. Thirty-six percent of
respondents said their child will need additional support to recover
from learning loss, and 45% said they would would be very likely or
extremely likely to send their child to summer school.
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