Study on strategies to curb student learning loss during the pandemic

 

Researchers say early data shows the pandemic is taking a toll on student learning. They concluded that children have lost at least one and a half months of reading, with students of color faring worse. And some experts say the loss could be even worse because some of the most vulnerable students may not be regularly attending class online or taking assessments this year. The report  details five strategies schools are taking to curb these losses: tutoring; lengthening the school year; ensuring learning materials are at grade level; partnering with community organizations; and tapping parents as partners in boosting literacy.

Dorn, E. et al. (2020, Dec. 8). COVID19 and learning loss. McKinsey.

https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-and-social-sector/our-insights/covid-19-and-learning-loss-disparities-grow-and-students-need-help

Math and Common Core report

This report presents findings from a survey of American Teacher Panel teachers conducted in spring 2016 and follows up on a survey of teachers conducted in spring 2015. It examines responses from U.S. mathematics teachers in regard to their understanding of their standards and standards-aligned practices. The authors also consider how teachers’ instructional materials might support their understanding of their standards and practice. Key findings include:

• Most of the materials that teachers reported using regularly for their instruction during the 2015–2016 school year were not highly aligned with the Common Core State Standards.
• A majority of teachers were able to identify Common Core–aligned topics at their grade level.
• At the same time, many teachers also indicated that many topics not aligned with the Common Core should be addressed at their grade level.
• Over one-third of teachers reported that their students engaged in various standards-aligned practices to a great extent.
• Teachers using at least one aligned main material more frequently reported their students engaging to a great extent in standards-aligned practices than teachers not using at least one aligned main material.
• Teachers with more vulnerable students were less likely to report engaging their students in standards-aligned practices than teachers serving less vulnerable students. 

Opfer, V. et al. (2018). Aligned curricula and implementation of Common Core State Mathematics Standards. Santa Monica, CA: RAND.  https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR2487.html?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=NPA:2022:4938:Aug%209,%202018%208:31:44%20AM%20PDT&utm_campaign=NPA:2022:4938:Aug%209,%202018%208:31:43%20AM%20PDT

OpenEd Assesses 'Most Effective' Online Learning Resources

Animated flashcards and sub-two-minute videos turn out to be the most effective online resources for K-12 against all other common options. That's the finding determined by OpenEd, which recently studied the data generated from the results of assessments given to students who used its free online resources for educational purposes. The company examined the average "effectiveness" of its online instructional resources. That was defined by how well students performed on an assessment covering the same subject or standard category after viewing the resource.

Schaffhauser, D. (2015, September 23). OpenEd Assesses 'Most Effective' Online Learning Resources. The Journal. Retrieved from https://thejournal.com/articles/2015/09/23/opened-assesses-most-effective-online-learning-resources.aspx


Paper cited can be accessed at https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9002954/ResourceEffectiveness.pdf