Pandemic Learning Loss: A Review for 2025
May 1, 2025
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We all remember when schools across the country closed their doors and sent students and teachers home with their books and laptops. Many of us felt sad, angry, scared, stressed, and frustrated. At the time, no one knew what the consequences of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic would be.
Five years later, our school-day routines have returned to what they were before March 2020. However, the effects of pandemic learning loss linger across US schools.
Learning loss is the decline in academic skills or knowledge due to an educational break or disruption – like the COVID-19 school closures. Unfinished learning refers to concepts or skills that students never had the opportunity to learn or practice enough to master.
Interruptions due to the pandemic were unexpected, prolonged, and severe for students developing foundational skills. Students could not learn as effectively, and as a result, they are still struggling to meet pre-pandemic expectations today.
So, how can we help students get back on track? Understanding the current state of learning loss is key to finding solutions. That way, educators, principals, and school leaders can meet students where they are and implement targeted strategies to help them recover.
Unfortunately, the ripple effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is still very much present in our nation’s classrooms. Despite recovery efforts, pandemic learning loss persists, as evidenced by recent standardized testing.
According to a joint analysis by researchers from Harvard, Stanford, and Dartmouth College, the average American student is still nearly half a grade level behind in both math and reading. Even more concerning, students have actually lost ground in reading compared to where they stood in 2022.
Additionally, achievement gaps between high- and low-poverty school districts have grown wider since the onset of the pandemic.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) – also known as The Nation’s Report Card – provides a sobering look at student progress in recent years. The organization tests students nationwide in grades 4, 8, and 12 to track achievement over time.
In 2024:
Math performance shows some signs of stabilization or marginal improvement in a few regions. Reading performance, on the other hand, seems to have generally worsened.
National averages mask the significant disparities in performance across the country. A 2025 report by researchers at Stanford and Harvard analyzed data on student achievement from 2019 to 2024. The report, released as part of the Education Recovery Scorecard, highlights uneven academic recovery across states and school districts.
Some findings are hopeful: 102 medium and large school districts, including some in high-poverty communities, are performing above pre-pandemic levels in both math and reading.
However, these successes are the exception rather than the norm. The Education Recovery Scorecard found that:
On a more optimistic note, the Education Recovery Scorecard shows that federal relief funds helped boost math and reading achievement by an average of one-tenth of a grade level for many high-poverty districts.
But how school districts spent federal funding also made a difference. Districts that invested in academic interventions, like tutoring, afterschool programs, and summer learning, saw student achievement grow.
The federal government made an effort to reduce the impact of learning loss by allocating nearly $190 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds through the CARES Act, CRRSA Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act. School districts were required to allocate the last of the funds by September 30, 2024.
Although ESSER was a significant investment, some analyses indicate that funding may not have been enough to fully offset the extent of learning loss caused by the pandemic.
The causes of learning loss extend beyond funding, including inconsistent interventions, varying state-level strategies, and differing instructional delivery.
Understanding where students are today requires looking back and analyzing the causes of pandemic learning loss. Still today, there are ongoing factors contributing to pandemic learning loss.
Arguably, the most significant factor contributing to pandemic learning loss was the transition to remote learning. It often lacked the structure, interactivity, and support systems that in-person education provides. Many students struggled to stay engaged and motivated, and the digital interface created barriers to communication and understanding.
Marginalized youth—especially those from racially minoritized and low-income families—faced limited or no access to computers, high-speed internet, and quiet learning environments.
Parents who were essential workers often could not supervise their children’s education. Many students were left to manage online learning alone.
Students with disabilities encountered interruptions in Individualized Education Program (IEP) services, inadequate adapted technology, and unclear guidance for virtual accommodations.
Many schools and teachers were not adequately prepared for the sudden transition to remote learning. The lack of training, planning, and resources exacerbated disparities and reduced the overall quality of instruction.
Children in households where both parents worked remotely and where the child had personal access to computers were more likely to stay on track academically. Conversely, students in single-parent or working-class homes, or those who had to share devices, spent significantly less time engaged in remote schoolwork.
Chronic absenteeism nearly doubled during the pandemic. A student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the school year, equivalent to over three weeks of instructional time.
A multi-year study of 11,000+ US school districts found absenteeism rates jumped from 16% in 2018-19 to nearly 30% in 2021-22. Fully remote learners were particularly affected, with absenteeism rates seven percentage points higher than in-person students.
While there was some improvement in 2022–23, with 61% of schools reporting high or extreme levels of chronic absenteeism (down from 65% the year before), the rates remain far above pre-pandemic levels of 28%. Persistent absences are a major obstacle to catching up on lost learning time.
It is critical to recognize the immense pressure placed on educators during and after the pandemic – and the resulting strain on the teaching workforce.
One study examined 15 states and found that each one had an increase in teachers leaving the profession after the 2021-22 school year, compared to the 2018-19 school year. Many teachers cited high stress and less enthusiasm as reasons for leaving.
In fact, in another survey, nearly three-quarters of educators said that the 2021-22 school year was one of the worst in their careers. And yet another 2021 survey found that teachers experience higher levels of job-related stress than most other professions.
In a 2022 survey of 1,342 PK-12 educators, the top three words used to describe teaching were stressful, frustrating, and challenging.
Furthermore, fewer people are pursuing careers in education, with the number of individuals earning teaching licenses dropping from 320,000 in 2006 to just 215,000 in 2020. The number of new teachers coming in is not keeping pace with the number of seasoned professionals stepping away.
This shortage and low morale persist today. Unfortunately, it has a direct impact on student learning. One study found that students who experience higher levels of teacher turnover score lower in both ELA and math.
Taken together, these factors—remote learning obstacles, digital inequities, chronic absenteeism, and teacher shortages—didn’t exist in isolation. They compounded one another, creating a web of disruption that disproportionately affected the most vulnerable students. To fully understand pandemic learning loss in 2025, we must acknowledge how intertwined these challenges are and the lasting impact they’ve had on students.
The impact of pandemic learning loss has affected what children know, how they feel, and the opportunities available to them in the future. From academic progress to emotional well-being to long-term aspirations, the effects of pandemic learning loss are far-reaching.
In the 2020–2021 school year, US students achieved only 37–50% of typical annual math gains and 63–68% of reading gains. The learning loss was particularly severe among students who remained in remote learning longer, despite higher attendance rates.
Black, Latino, and American Indian/Alaska Native students experienced larger declines than their White and Asian American peers. Low-income and minority students experienced larger declines in standardized test scores.
Schools with the highest percentages of students on free or reduced lunch lost two-thirds of a year in math instruction, compared to just two-fifths in wealthier schools.
Today, we know that the average American student remains nearly half a grade level behind in both math and reading – evidence that the effects of pandemic learning loss are still very much with us.
Unfortunately, the pandemic worsened social-emotional challenges. In-person guidance from teachers and peer interactions are essential for emotional regulation. School plays a vital role in providing stability and socialization for many children.
During the pandemic, 40% of students faced an adverse childhood experience (ACEs) such as economic hardship or family instability. These traumas, coupled with academic setbacks, social isolation, and the loss of extracurricular activities, led to disengagement, reduced motivation, and more behavioral issues.
Data from a longitudinal study by the National Survey of Children’s Health found that the prevalence of anxiety in children (under age 18) rose from 7.1% in 2016 to 10.6% by 2022. Depression rates also rose from 3.2% to 4.6%. It is no coincidence that this increase occurred during the pandemic.
The impact of pandemic learning loss extends into high school and beyond, impacting students’ access to future educational opportunities. Gaps in foundational knowledge hinder success in advanced coursework and meeting graduation requirements.
Students behind in math and reading are less likely to perform well on college entrance exams like the SAT or ACT, limiting their chances of admission to selective institutions. Disengaged students are also less likely to pursue extracurriculars or internships – keys to building competitive résumés.
Many students will also lack the soft skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving, essential for success in college and careers.
Education is a critical driver of upward social mobility. Prolonged learning loss will perpetuate cycles of poverty as students are less likely to qualify for scholarships or high-paying jobs.
The status of pandemic learning loss remains complex, but amidst the challenges, educators are finding a path forward. This review has highlighted the enduring effects and persistent disparities, but it also points to areas of potential progress.
The effects of pandemic learning loss are deep and far-reaching, disrupting academics, mental health, and developmental growth of millions of students. The data is undeniable: there are persistent academic deficiencies, absenteeism rates are still elevated, recovery across demographics is uneven, and there has been a multifaceted impact on students’ well-being. The numbers can inform our next steps.
While the road to full recovery may be long, the potential for positive change is within our reach. By embracing evidence-based interventions, prioritizing student engagement, and encouraging a collaborative spirit, we can create a learning environment where every student thrives.
Imagine classrooms filled with active participation, where learning is not a chore but a joy.
To move beyond recovery and towards true educational advancement, we must explore innovative approaches. At Math & Movement, we believe that learning recovery doesn’t have to be rigid or overwhelming. Our Whole School Kits offer a dynamic, movement-based approach that turns core academic concepts into engaging, active learning experiences.
By combining math and literacy instruction with kinesthetic play, we help schools create environments where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Explore our Whole School Kits to see how movement-based learning can support your recovery goals and empower every child to catch up—and “leap” ahead.
The extent of learning loss for students varies by state and school district. Researchers estimated that the average US student is still nearly half a grade level behind in both math and reading.
How schools spent federal funding to mitigate the impact of pandemic learning loss varied greatly from district to district. Based on data from the Education Recovery Scorecard, we know that districts that spent funding on academic interventions such as high-dosage tutoring and extended learning programs saw greater academic recovery gains.
Many students became disengaged during remote learning. Distance learning often lacked the structure, interactivity, and support systems. When students are disengaged with their lessons, they lose motivation and do not perform as well academically. Today, students are still behind and may feel increased pressure and anxiety to catch up. This anxiety can appear as disruptive behavior or subject avoidance.
The National Survey of Children’s Health found that the prevalence of anxiety in children (under age 18) rose from 7.1% in 2016 to 10.6% by 2022. Depression rates also rose from 3.2% to 4.6%.
Many teachers were unprepared to lead remote classes. This was incredibly stressful, frustrating, and challenging. Now, teachers are tasked with meeting curriculum requirements while helping students catch up. As a result of this increased stress, more educators are leaving the profession. The US is facing a teacher shortage.
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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