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Effects of COVID-19 on Student Learning : Assessing Learning Losses Using Adaptive Technology

Author

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  • Baron, Juan
  • Mola,José
  • Pineda, Astrid Camille
  • Polanco Santos, Paola Patricia

Abstract

This paper quantifies learning losses between 2020 and 2022 in the Dominican Republic, an upper-middle-income country. The paper uses data from a sample of ninth-grade students who benefited from computer adaptive learning software during this period. This study is among a few to measure actual losses among secondary school students, and it is the first to use detailed data on students’ mastery of individual math topics to do so. The findings show no evidence of learning losses in our analysis sample. However, the paper documents concerningly low learning levels, with the average student mastering only 45 percent of pre-requisite topics for their grade. These results should be interpreted with caution, as they are based on a select sample of urban schools and may not fully reflect broader educational trends across the country.

Suggested Citation

  • Baron, Juan & Mola,José & Pineda, Astrid Camille & Polanco Santos, Paola Patricia, 2025. "Effects of COVID-19 on Student Learning : Assessing Learning Losses Using Adaptive Technology," Policy Research Working Paper Series 11144, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:11144
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Guilherme Lichand & Carlos Alberto Doria & Onicio Leal-Neto & João Paulo Cossi Fernandes, 2022. "Publisher Correction: The impacts of remote learning in secondary education during the pandemic in Brazil," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 6(8), pages 1180-1180, August.
    2. Jakubowski,Maciej Jan & Gajderowicz,Tomasz Janusz & Patrinos,Harry Anthony, 2024. "COVID-19, School Closures, and Student Learning Outcomes : New Global Evidence from PISA," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10666, The World Bank.
    3. Guilherme Lichand & Carlos Alberto Doria & Onicio Leal-Neto & João Paulo Cossi Fernandes, 2022. "The impacts of remote learning in secondary education during the pandemic in Brazil," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 6(8), pages 1079-1086, August.
    4. Kaffenberger, Michelle, 2021. "Modelling the long-run learning impact of the Covid-19 learning shock: Actions to (more than) mitigate loss," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    5. Angrist, Noam & de Barros, Andreas & Bhula, Radhika & Chakera, Shiraz & Cummiskey, Chris & DeStefano, Joseph & Floretta, John & Kaffenberger, Michelle & Piper, Benjamin & Stern, Jonathan, 2021. "Building back better to avert a learning catastrophe: Estimating learning loss from COVID-19 school shutdowns in Africa and facilitating short-term and long-term learning recovery," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
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