An Endless Summer: How COVID Has Reversed Academic Achievement

Published February 9, 2021

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on education has been severe, accelerating the learning losses typically seen over summer breaks. The sad reality is that the shutdowns have had an unequal effect on students. While most students have experienced a learning decay, the impact has been more severe among disadvantaged children.

Discussion Questions

1. What do you see as the biggest challenges involved in online teaching? 
2. What are the advantages of online learning versus in-school learning?

Additional Resources

• Read CREDO’s “Estimates of Learning Loss in the 2019–2020 School Year.” Available here.
• Read “COVID-19 and Schools,” with Eric Hanushek and Margaret Raymond. Available here.
• Read “The Gap between High School Graduation and College Preparedness,” with Margaret Raymond. Available here.
• Read “The Diploma Dilemma,” by Margaret Raymond. Available here.
• Read “Improving Educational Outcomes Through Innovation,” by Margaret Raymond. Available here.
• Read “How Well Are Teachers Doing?” by Margaret Raymond. Available here.