Explorer
Compare learning loss in districts across the country and gain insights into how remote learning, federal funds, and other factors impacted students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the News
September 5, 2025
The gender gap in math widened in the pandemic. Schools are trying to make up lost ground
"Efforts to close the gender gap in STEM education are gaining momentum after setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic."
September 4, 2025
Girls closed the gender gap in math; then the pandemic struck
"Girls' math scores have dropped significantly in California districts, reversing previous trends. Experts are unsure of the cause, but mental health issues may …"
February 20, 2025
Most school districts have lots of kids who struggle with reading. This one is different.
"The third graders in Steubenville, Ohio, are among the best little readers in the nation. For nearly 20 years, 93% or more of them have scored proficient on …"
February 20, 2025
The Outlier
"There’s a school district in eastern Ohio where virtually all the students become good readers by the time they finish third grade. Many of the wealthiest …"
February 11, 2025
Most US kids aren’t gaining fast enough in reading and math. These schools are different
"The average American student remains half a grade level behind pre-pandemic levels of achievement in both reading and math."
February 11, 2025
Covid Learning Losses
"This morning, a group of academic researchers released their latest report card on pandemic learning loss, and it shows a disappointingly slow recovery in …"
February 11, 2025
A deep dive on U.S. reading and math scores, and what to do about them
"U.S. students were still nearly half a grade level behind in both math and reading in the spring of 2024, compared with achievement levels before the pandemic. …"
June 26, 2024
Here’s What $200 Billion in Covid Money Did for Students
"Federal Covid aid for schools improved test scores, but the impact was modest and many students remain behind, new research finds."
June 26, 2024
Studies: Pandemic Aid Lifted Scores, But Not Enough To Make Up for Lost Learning
"Two studies independently point to small improvements in student performance due to federal funds. But the authors question if money was 'well spent.'"
June 26, 2024
Schools Got a Record $190 Billion in Pandemic Aid. Did It Work?
"Two new studies suggest that the largest single federal investment in U.S. schools improved student test scores, but only modestly."
June 26, 2024
Burst in covid spending helped students recover, researchers find
"But despite $190 billion sent to K-12 schools, academic achievement lagged behind pre-pandemic levels."
June 26, 2024
What the Historic Infusion of Federal Pandemic Aid Did for Schools
"Two new analyses of student-achievement data finds some benefits—but also deep inequities—for districts receiving federal recovery money."
Related Research
Educational Rights and Wrongs: How COVID-Related Student Math Achievement Losses Distributed and Implications for Equal …