How to Deal with Pandemic Learning Loss

Although it is no longer in the headlines, Covid-19 caused significant disruptions in education systems worldwide, leading to what is now known as pandemic learning loss.
This term refers to the decline in academic performance that students have experienced due to extended periods of school closures, remote learning, and other pandemic-related disruptions. Research studies have shown that pandemic learning loss has had a particularly significant impact on students' reading and math skills, with second and fourth graders being among the most affected groups.

A study conducted by McKinsey & Company (2020) found that pandemic-related school closures could result in significant learning loss, with students expected to lose an average of 3-4 months of learning in reading and math. However, the same study found that the impact of pandemic learning loss was not evenly distributed among students, with those from low-income families, Black and Latino students, and students with disabilities being the most affected.
Another study conducted by NWEA (2020) found that pandemic learning loss could lead to significant achievement gaps. The study showed that students in grades 3-8 could lose up to a year's worth of learning in math and reading due to pandemic-related school closures.

To reverse pandemic learning loss, researchers suggest the implementation of high-frequency tutoring programs.
A study conducted by the University of Chicago Education Lab (2020) found that high-frequency tutoring had a positive impact on students' academic performance, especially for those who were most affected by pandemic learning loss. Another study conducted by TNTP (2020) found that high-dosage tutoring led to significant gains in reading and math skills for students in grades 4-8.
Parents can use high-frequency tutoring to help their children rebound by doing some or all of the tutoring or finding a trustworthy local tutor. Here's a how to get started:
Starting out
Start by identifying if the student is at grade or behind. Review any assessments related to state or district testing of Math and Reading. If the school does not have test results, a discussion with the student's Math and English teachers should point you in the right direction.
If neither of those options work, local learning programs generally offer nominally priced learning assessments that can be useful to create a learning plan.
Add some practice resources

• Another resource is Khan Academy, which offers free online courses in math, science, and humanities for students of all ages.
• Parents can also use the Learning Ally program, which provides access to audiobooks, dyslexia support, and other resources for students with reading difficulties. This program is available for free at many public libraries across the US.

Consider using a professional tutor
While self-tutoring can be beneficial, tutoring with a qualified tutor can be more effective, especially in-person tutoring. In-person tutoring allows for enhanced interaction between the student and the tutor. A study by Mehrabian and Wiener (1967) found that nonverbal communication makes up more than 50% of what is understood in communication, and it is more readily understood in person than through other forms of communication. Since humans learn to communicate in three dimensions, in-person tutoring is viewed as superior to online tutoring.
Parents who prefer in-person tutoring can find tutors through The Association of Test Preparation, Admissions, and Private Tutoring, a non-profit consortium of local tutoring programs.
Although pandemic learning loss has had a significant impact on students' academic performance, the solution is not out of reach, difficult to implement, or expensive to provide. It can be done by parents in the home or with the help of the parent-school-tutor triumvirate.

References:

1. McKinsey & Company. (2020). COVID-19 and learning loss—disparities grow and students need help. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-and-social-sector/our-insights/covid-19-and-learning-loss-disparities-grow-and-students-need-help
2. NWEA. (2020). COVID-19 school closures: What are the impacts on student learning? Retrieved from https://www.nwea.org/resource/covid-19-school-closures-impact-on-student-learning/
3. University of Chicago Education Lab. (2020). High-dosage tutoring and reading achievement: Evidence from New York City. Retrieved from https://edlabs.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/2020-11/2020_11_02_UChicago_EdLabs_High_Dosage_Tutoring.pdf
4. TPAPT Directory. (2023) https://www.google.com/maps/d/...