The COVID-19 pandemic has shut down schools across the nation, forcing students, teachers, and parents to quickly acclimate to online education. As the school year closes out, many educators worry that the pandemic may worsen the effects of summer brain drain, which is the learning loss that occurs when students are out of school for long periods of time. Below, learn the projected effects of COVID-19 on academic achievement.

How Will COVID-19 Affect Student Achievement?

While there is no way to be certain how much impact COVID-19 and school closures will have on student learning, the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) has put together preliminary estimates using data from research on summer learning loss and a national sample of over five million students from grades 3 to 8 who took MAP® Growth™ Assessments. Forecasts show the potential for dramatic impacts on student achievement. The most troubling estimates are the preliminary COVID-19 slide trajectories, which predict that students will return to school in the fall of 2020 with only 70% of their reading gains relative to a typical year, and less than 50% of their learning gains in math.

Previous summer learning loss research found that by the summer after grade 7, students on average lose 36% of their school-year gains in reading and 50% of their school-year gains in math. On top of this trend, the additional impacts of the pandemic, such as loss of academic resources and economic instability, can further disrupt a student’s academic achievement. Without support from schools, tutors, educators, policymakers, and family, many students may fall behind.

What Can Parents Do to Minimize This Impact?

Students will need active support now and throughout the coming academic school year to minimize the trauma and damages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As schools, tutoring centers, and educators prepare to welcome students back come fall 2020, there are steps parents can take to help their children recover as well.

Summer tutoring offers many advantages to students during a typical year, so the value of additional instruction is even greater now. Whether your family feels more comfortable with in-center learning or live online instruction, private tutoring will keep your student’s mind sharp and ready for the next school year. A dedicated tutor will help your child catch up with the information they lost in the uncertainty of the pandemic, overcome problem areas, and stay motivated throughout these troubling times. Proper guidance and support will keep your student on the path to academic success.

The disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic has left many students uncertain about their futures. With tutoring services such as Summer Jump Start from Peach State Tutoring & Test Prep, your child will receive the academic assistance they need to overcome this disruption. The tutoring center offers customized SAT prep, ACT prep, and academic tutoring with incredible results to families in Roswell, Johns Creek, Milton, Cumming, Duluth, Norcross, Suwanee, and Alpharetta, GA. If your teen is preparing to take the SAT or ACT, they also provide a free SAT vs. ACT evaluation to determine their potential for success on each test. Visit their website for more information about tutoring services. To learn more about their COVID-19 response and accommodations, call (678) 824-6890.