How the Pandemic Affected Students: New Data & Podcast

In a recent episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer welcomed back Dr. Kelsey Young, Associate Director of Research Insights and Analytics at Curriculum Associates, to discuss the latest data on student academic performance post-pandemic. This eye-opening conversation shed light on how students are faring after COVID-19, the challenges schools are facing, and the opportunities for educational recovery. With over 14 million students' data analyzed, Dr. Young’s findings reveal concerning trends in student growth and offer practical advice for educators and policymakers to address these challenges head-on.

Key Insights from the i-Ready Data: Are Students Recovering?

Dr. Kelsey Young highlighted two major reports released by Curriculum Associates in 2024: one on student growth post-pandemic and the annual State of Student Learning Report. These studies explored academic trajectories over a three-year span, comparing post-pandemic growth to pre-pandemic levels. The overarching takeaway? Many students are still struggling to catch up.

"We're seeing these really lasting impacts of the pandemic that students are still not where they were pre-pandemic, whether we measure that through their academic growth or just who's reaching grade level," said Dr. Young.

The data is particularly alarming for younger students. Contrary to expectations, students who were not yet in school during the pandemic are actually further behind than their older peers.

"Younger students are actually further behind where we would expect them to be than older cohorts," Dr. Young explained. "This was a bit of a shock for many people, but it makes sense given how critical early childhood years are for developing foundational skills."

Understanding the Impact on Vulnerable Populations

One of the most important takeaways from this episode is the disparity in recovery among different student populations. Dr. Young emphasized the need to disaggregate data to understand how various student groups—particularly those from low-income communities and other vulnerable populations—are faring. She noted that students who were already struggling pre-pandemic continue to face the greatest challenges in their academic recovery.

"We're seeing that students below grade level, especially those furthest behind, are still struggling to keep pace with their own historical growth or moving further away," said Dr. Young. "This widening gap is something we absolutely need to attend to."

While some pockets of recovery are visible—particularly among students receiving targeted interventions such as phonics-based reading instruction—these improvements are not enough to close pre-existing equity gaps in education.

The Role of Effective Interventions in Student Recovery

The conversation with Dr. Young also highlighted the critical role of evidence-based interventions, such as high-dosage tutoring and phonics-based instruction. Although these approaches have shown promise, Dr. Young urged educators to take a nuanced approach to their implementation. Aligning the right interventions with the specific needs of student populations is essential for maximizing their effectiveness.

"When we match the population we're trying to serve with the right intervention, we can have really great results," Dr. Young explained. "But we have to evaluate the data with a more nuanced lens."

She also acknowledged the challenge of limited funding, particularly as COVID relief funds begin to dry up. While there is hope for extensions on unspent funds, school leaders must make difficult decisions on which interventions to keep and which to phase out.

What Can Schools and Policymakers Do Next?

As the education system continues to recover from the pandemic’s disruptions, Dr. Young emphasized the importance of a coordinated effort among educators, policymakers, and education technology providers. Addressing barriers to effective intervention implementation is crucial for helping students recover.

"It’s not always on the education system," she noted. "We need a cohesive effort to address barriers and break it down for educators and administrators to get the most out of the practices they’re trying to implement."

Dr. Young also pointed to the importance of continued funding for evidence-based interventions, particularly those that have shown small but promising gains. As new data becomes available, policymakers should remain flexible and open to reallocating resources to the programs that are most effective in helping students catch up.

Final Thoughts: What Educators Can Take Away

For educators navigating the challenges of post-pandemic recovery, Dr. Young’s data-driven insights offer both a sobering reality check and a roadmap for the future. While the road to recovery is long, targeted interventions and a clear understanding of student needs can pave the way for progress.

As Dr. Young optimistically noted, "There are tiny pockets of recovery, and we need to pay attention to them. It shows us that some things are working."

By focusing on the data, addressing barriers to implementation, and advocating for the resources needed to support students, educators and policymakers can make strides toward closing the gap and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.