Learning Loss
Fighting the harshest academic effect of distance learning
In 2020, the world was rocked by the outbreak of the coronavirus known as COVID-19. In order to prevent the virus’s spread, cities across the country went into lockdown. As a result, thousands of schools closed their doors until they could figure out a way to hold classes without putting students and faculty at risk. The solution: officials decided to hold classes virtually, which ushered in the age of distance learning. However, with distance learning came a cost.
Although the new digital class structure protected students and teachers from COVID-19, a new danger to their wellbeing loomed. As the year went on, more and more researchers warned about distance learning’s effect on students, ranging from academic to social-emotional. Among these effects is “learning loss.” What is “learning loss?” Learning loss happens when students forget or don’t receive necessary instruction or resources to acquire grade-level knowledge or skills while out of “normal” school for extended periods. Therefore, learning loss can have a drastic impact on a student’s overall learning and trajectory. So, we must do all we can to reverse it.
Overview
As stated, learning loss delivers massive setbacks to a student’s academic career. Not only do students miss out on new learning, they also have to re-learn knowledge already covered. Moreover, this pandemic revealed racial inequities deeply embedded in our school system, which are worsening. Fall 2020 assessment data shows that learning loss is greatest among low-income, Black, and Latino students. Researchers project that Black and Latino students will experience 12–16 months of learning loss by the end of the school year. To combat this, California needs all hands on deck, with school leaders, nonprofit community partners, legislators, and families working together to address this crisis. Together, we must understand the issue, listen to parents’ priorities, and ensure high-quality after school recovery and summer enrichment opportunities for all students.
California Parents Speak Out on Learning Loss
Over the past year, we’ve heard hundreds of parents across California share how the pandemic and distance learning are affecting their children’s present and potentially their future. Learn more about what parents are pushing legislators to prioritize.
California Parents Demand Funding for Students’ COVID-19 Recovery
CA legislators are making major decisions right now about the state budget for next school year. In response, Innovate parent leaders from across the state are raising their voices and petitioning decision-makers to invest more into children’s mental health and academic recovery from COVID-19.
Stay up-to-date on our work fighting learning loss
Stay up-to-date on our work fighting learning loss
Research Blog Series: Learning Loss
Researchers and educators are already seeing widespread mental health needs and students falling behind academically, especially in math. In this blog series, you will learn how the pandemic is affecting students from underserved communities, the impact of learning loss, and effective solutions to reverse learning loss.
Our Partners
It takes a village to create change, and we’re not fighting learning loss alone. Several organizations – from after school providers to advocacy organizations – showed their support for our initiative by signing a letter to elected officials to enact certain policies to facilitate learning loss recovery.
