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Learning loss, the decline in academic knowledge and skills over time, has become one of the most pressing challenges in K-12 education today. While once primarily associated with summer breaks, the COVID-19 pandemic expanded its reach. It deepened existing academic disparities and created new obstacles for all students. Even now, many students continue to struggle to meet grade-level expectations in core subjects like math and reading.
For district administrators and directors, addressing learning gaps is not a temporary concern; it is a critical and ongoing issue. Proactive, district-wide learning loss recovery plans are necessary to provide sustainable and equitable support for all students. This necessity represents both a challenge and an opportunity.
Learning loss recovery requires a long-term, coordinated approach—one that combines curriculum adjustments, differentiated instruction, strategic resource allocation, and community partnerships. It also calls for innovation in how we engage students. Movement-based learning strategies can serve as a solution.
This article explores how school district leaders can take charge in learning loss recovery by implementing practical, scalable strategies that prioritize equity, engagement, and long-term growth.
Learning loss in education refers to the gradual decline or regression of academic knowledge and skills. This loss can manifest in various ways, ranging from a decline in test scores to a decrease in engagement and confidence in the classroom.
Educators are well aware of the concept of summer learning loss. Students often return to school in the fall after summer vacation, having forgotten critical concepts, especially in math.
Another widely accepted definition compares students’ current progress to historical growth patterns. In this context, learning loss is the gap between where students are and where they would have been had instruction continued uninterrupted and under optimal conditions.
A more nuanced term gaining traction is “unfinished learning” – an acknowledgment that students didn’t fail to learn, but rather, they didn’t have the opportunity to learn or fully master certain material. This is often due to circumstances outside their control.
It’s also important to recognize that learning loss isn’t limited to the pandemic. Absenteeism, natural disasters, trauma, under-resourced classrooms, and inequitable access to learning supports can all contribute to setbacks in academic growth.
However, the pandemic-related learning loss we’re facing today is broader and more complex than typical regressions. It spans multiple grade levels and subjects and is compounded by social-emotional challenges, disengagement, and uneven access to digital learning tools.
As school district leaders look ahead, there’s an urgent need for focused interventions. Learning loss recovery requires more than returning to pre-2020 routines. It calls for thoughtful, research-backed learning loss strategies that account for both academic gaps and student well-being.
Whether you’re designing a learning loss recovery plan for your district or investing in summer learning loss prevention, a deep understanding of the problem is the first step toward lasting solutions.
Learning loss is a widespread, multifaceted issue that affects students across grade levels, subjects, and geographic regions. Today, the average American student is nearly half a grade level behind in both math and reading. Students are struggling to regain academic ground, and district administrators face the complex challenge of addressing learning gaps that vary in scope and severity.
Data from a recent study and national testing gives us some insight on where students are today academically.
A longitudinal study conducted by Cambium Assessment followed over 2.25 million students in five states from 2019 to 2022. It tracked three cohorts of students in grades 3-6, 4-7, and 5-8.
In ELA:
In Math:
These trends underscore the need for a targeted learning loss recovery plan. While some progress is being made, recovery is uneven, and many students, especially the youngest, are still far below pre-pandemic benchmarks.
Recent data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) – commonly known as The Nation’s Report Card – adds to the growing evidence of widespread learning loss. This long-running assessment tests students in grades 4, 8, and 12 nationwide to track academic achievement over time, and the 2024 results are deeply concerning:
While there are signs that math performance may be stabilizing in some regions, reading outcomes continue to decline, underscoring the urgent need for targeted learning loss strategies across subjects.
Learning loss recovery must also address the equity gap. The data consistently show that students from marginalized groups have been hit hardest:
These disparities demand thoughtful, culturally responsive interventions that prioritize addressing learning gaps for the most affected populations.
The impact of early learning loss compounds over time. A global modeling study found that reducing 3rd-grade learning by one-third can result in students being a full year behind by 10th grade.
How is that possible? Once students fall below the instructional level, they struggle to catch up as the curriculum advances. Without effective learning loss strategies, these gaps grow wider year after year.
The impact of learning loss extends beyond test scores. Students have experienced heightened levels of anxiety, depression, screen fatigue, and isolation, especially those without consistent adult support or safe learning environments.
A 2022 study from Ethiopia highlighted the reciprocal relationship between academic skills and social-emotional learning (SEL). Students with stronger numeracy skills demonstrated higher levels of social competence, and wealthier families reported significantly better SEL outcomes.
These findings reinforce what educators already know: Academic recovery and emotional well-being go hand-in-hand.
Without effective intervention, today’s learning loss will shape tomorrow’s opportunities. Students who remain behind are more likely to:
In short, making a learning loss recovery plan and implementing research-based learning loss strategies is absolutely crucial. The decisions made by district leaders today will have lasting effects on student success and workforce readiness.
Related Reading: Pandemic Learning Loss: A Review for 2025
District-level leadership plays a pivotal role in the nation’s learning loss recovery efforts. In the wake of the pandemic, the federal government allocated nearly $190 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds through the CARES Act, CRRSA Act, and the American Rescue Plan.
Notably, school districts were required to dedicate at least 20% of their American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds specifically to addressing learning gaps caused by lost instructional time. These funds had to be obligated by September 30, 2024 – placing significant responsibility on district leaders to use them strategically and effectively.
Superintendents, coordinators, and administrators are positioned to shape the trajectory of learning loss strategies across their schools. These leaders can:
With ESSER III funding deadlines passed, the emphasis now shifts to accountability and sustainability. District directors must demonstrate that investments were both effective and forward-thinking. Learning loss recovery strategies include:
Want to head deeper into the research and results behind Math & Movement? Explore our Program Data page to see how schools across the US are transforming student achievement with our kinesthetic learning strategies.
The R.A.P.I.D. Framework serves as a guide for educators to follow while recovering from pandemic-related learning loss. It outlines five core strategies:
This framework is designed to be actionable, scalable, and evidence-based, helping school districts implement their learning loss recovery plans.
With the right initiatives for addressing learning gaps, district leaders set their schools up for long-term recovery and success. As strategic leaders, they can ensure that all students, especially those most affected, have a path forward.
To make real progress on learning loss recovery, school districts must rethink how curriculum and instruction are delivered. The traditional, one-size-fits-all model won’t effectively address learning gaps that have widened over multiple years and vary from student to student. Instead, a more versatile, inclusive, and responsive approach is needed.
Curriculum revision doesn’t mean starting over. It means taking a focused look at what lessons matter most and ensuring that every minute of instruction counts. District leaders can support schools by helping educators:
This type of responsive curriculum planning is essential for any comprehensive learning loss recovery plan, especially when trying to make up for lost learning time while keeping pace with new grade-level content.
Once curriculum goals are realigned, the next step is to ensure that instruction meets students where they are, at their current level of understanding. Differentiated instruction is one of the most effective ways to do this. It empowers teachers to tailor lessons based on individual learning levels, styles, and interests, making it a core component of learning loss strategies.
Some ways to adapt teaching include:
Another great way to develop your learning loss recovery plan is to look at successful strategies other districts and states are adopting.
The Cambrian School District in California provides a compelling example of what district-level leadership can do to support curriculum adaptation and differentiated learning. Their approach included reassessing instructional time, embedding small-group support throughout the school day, and creating clear intervention pathways to involve parents and support staff.
Similarly, the Colorado Department of Education recommends identifying unfinished learning and student needs and making school-wide decisions to accelerate learning. Their guidance also prioritizes social-emotional support for students and staff. Their website features a downloadable Learning Loss Recovery Strategy Guide.
Both examples highlight the importance of collaboration among educators and leadership teams. When school and district staff work together to design and implement instructional plans, the impact of learning loss strategies becomes more powerful and sustainable.
The challenge of learning loss is undeniable, with pandemic disruptions, ongoing inequalities, and summer learning loss fueling unfinished learning.
Addressing learning gaps may seem overwhelming. But with the right mindset and tools, learning loss recovery becomes a chance to reimagine education in ways that are more inclusive, engaging, and effective.
We’ve explored the essential strategies – from data-driven interventions and curriculum adjustments to differentiated instruction and social-emotional support. These foundational shifts are powerful, but there’s more we can do.
One of the most impactful and accessible ways to accelerate progress is through movement-based learning. This is an approach that integrates physical activity with academic instruction to boost focus, retention, and joy in the classroom.
Math & Movement’s Whole School Kits offer a dynamic solution for addressing learning gaps across all grade levels. These kits are filled with engaging, kinesthetic materials that turn everyday lessons into interactive, memorable experiences.
They support differentiated instruction, encourage peer collaboration, and energize both teachers and students. They are a perfect fit for schools seeking to enhance their learning loss recovery plan with tools that work across different settings and learning styles.
Ready to take the next step in your district’s recovery journey? Explore Math & Movement’s Whole School Kits and discover how kinesthetic learning products can spark transformation in your schools.
Don’t let the shadow of learning loss define your students’ future. Empower your educators. Engage your students. And lead your district into a future where learning is not only recovered, but reimagined.
Learning loss recovery refers to the intentional strategies, programs, and interventions designed to help students regain academic skills and knowledge they fell behind on due to disruptions in schooling. Recovery aims to catch students up on foundational skills, rebuild academic confidence, and foster student engagement.
Educators can address learning gaps with:
Differentiated instruction is a teaching approach that tailors lessons to individual needs, learning styles, interests, and abilities. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all strategy, teachers adapt what they teach, how they teach, and how students demonstrate what they’ve learned.
Math & Movement uses an evidence-based, multi-sensory approach to learning to supplement a school’s existing curriculum. Our kinesthetic learning products are proven to boost student achievement, engagement, and self-efficacy. Students can navigate academic concepts by moving their bodies over large-scale floor mats and stickers. Plus, our materials are versatile for different learning abilities and various lessons.
Suzy Koontz, CEO and Founder of Math & Movement, has spent over 25 years helping students achieve academic success. She has created over 200 kinesthetic teaching tools adopted by schools nationwide and has authored over 20 books. As a sought-after national presenter, Suzy shares how movement can transform the way students learn.
Movement isn't just for recess
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