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The Path of Student Learning Delay During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Michigan

Author

Listed:
  • Katharine O. Strunk

    (Graduate School of Education University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 19104)

  • Tara Kilbride

    (Education Policy Innovation Collaborative Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824)

  • Scott Imberman

    (Department of Economics Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824 and NBER)

  • Seth Walker

    (Department of Economics Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824)

  • Dongming Yu

    (Department of Economics Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824)

  • Bryant Hopkins

    (Bates White Consulting Washington, DC 20006)

Abstract

Educators and policy makers have been concerned that the COVID-19 pandemic led to substantial delays in learning due to disruptions, anxiety, and remote schooling. We study student achievement patterns over the pandemic using a combination of state summative and higher frequency benchmark assessments for fifth and sixth grade students in Michigan. Comparing pre-pandemic to post-pandemic cohorts, we find that math achievement growth dropped by 0.20 standard deviation more than expected between 2019 and 2022. These drops were larger for Black, Latino, and economically disadvantaged students, as well as students in districts that were at least partially remote in 2021–22. Benchmark assessment results are consistent with summative assessments and show sharp drops in 2020–21 with a partial recovery in math. Reductions in English language arts growth were generally small and statistically insignificant. Both assessments and subjects, however, show recovery stalling at a level below pre-pandemic achievement.

Suggested Citation

  • Katharine O. Strunk & Tara Kilbride & Scott Imberman & Seth Walker & Dongming Yu & Bryant Hopkins, 2026. "The Path of Student Learning Delay During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Michigan," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 21(3), pages 480-506, Summer.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:edfpol:v:21:y:2026:i:3:p:480-506
    DOI: 10.1162/EDFP.a.26
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