Only 33 percent of schools have recovered in either math or reading 6 years after pandemic

New research found only 1 in 3 schools have recovered in either reading or math since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools nearly six years ago.  

The number of schools that recovered in both subjects sits at around 14 percent, according to the NWEA, an education research group. 

Schools that serve historically marginalized students are more likely to still be behind but have some of the biggest gains in recovery since the pandemic. Schools that have seen a full recovery likely had smaller initial setbacks from the pandemic, the researchers found.

“Our findings show there was not a single path to recovery,” said Emily Morton, lead research scientist at the NWEA. “While some schools recovered by avoiding initial declines, others rebounded with remarkable growth. These ‘Rebounder’ schools offer critical lessons about the practices and investments that can help students regain lost ground and continue moving forward.” 

The study defined full recovery by a school as having the same or better scores in fall 2024 compared to fall 2019. 

Full recovery is more likely to be seen in schools serving a majority white or Asian population, with majority Black or Hispanic schools following behind. Rural schools also have higher rates of recovery than suburban or urban schools, the research shows.

The NWEA said the findings signal a need for local and state leaders to support schools with specific goals, such as creating benchmarks for recovery and preparing for future crises.  

The study builds on vast research showing a majority of students are behind in reading and math across the country.