How Integrated Technology Effectively Identifies and Addresses Learning Loss

Over the past couple years, schools and districts worldwide had to deal with incredible demands in a quickly changing environment—many without a solid plan or adequate technology in place. In turn, student learning was impacted the most.

We are just beginning to understand the full impact of upended education systems. The latest results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as The Nation’s Report Card, offer a first look at the pandemic’s impact on what students know and can do using a standard measure of student achievement.

Most states saw scores decline for fourth- and eighth-graders in mathematics and reading since the assessment was last given in 2019. The average mathematics score for fourth graders decreased by five points since 2019—from 241 to 236)—while the score for eighth graders dropped eight points—from 282 to 274. The average reading score for both grades decreased by three points—from 220 to 217 for fourth graders and from 263 to 260 for eighth graders.

Still, emerging indicators reveal that the pandemic has significantly impacted students of color, many of whom were already at a disadvantage.

While much has improved since the spring of 2020, learning loss—especially in math and reading—will continue to grow if educational gaps remain unaddressed. A critical component to minimizing learning loss is a flexible teaching and learning approach that fosters both synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences no matter where students are.

The process begins with teachers administering assessments to identify gaps in learning, then using that data to develop relevant curriculum and inform instruction. Pair that with integrated technology that works seamlessly to help identify and address learning gaps, and you get a smoother, simpler workflow that can improve teaching and learning.

Data-Driven Assessment Means Data-Driven Instruction

Eliminating learning gaps without easy access to student data is difficult. During the last year, many districts realized they were stuck with an inadequate learning management system (LMS) and assessment solution, making it even more difficult to provide personalized instruction, administer targeted assessments, and track and analyze student data.

When teachers have a complete view of student performance data that they can use to guide instruction, they can develop personalized learning paths to help address and eliminate students’ learning gaps. PowerSchool Performance Matters is an integrated assessment and analytics tool that provides a clearer view of the whole student.

With Performance Matters, educators can:

• Create and deliver common assessments instead of relying on third-party assessments that may not be tailored to identify your students’ learning gaps and remediation needs.

• See trends in data or create their own.

• Use PowerSchool’s pre-made item banks and assessments from assessments, attendance, behavior, and social and emotional learning (SEL) surveys—all on one dashboard.

• Identify at-risk students and develop more personalized learning experiences for them.

Best of all, Performance Matters integrates seamlessly with PowerSchool Schoology Learning to empower teachers to provide their students with the most personalized, efficient educational experience at school, at home, or anywhere in between as we all adapt to the realities of remote and blended learning. Fortunately, the process is simple for teachers, who can leverage single sign-on for toggling between applications, giving them more time to develop learning paths that address instructional gaps rather than figuring out clunky technology. When educators use Performance Matters and Schoology Learning together, they benefit from:

• Increased collaboration and communication. Teachers can share lesson plans and best practices, review student performance data, and communicate with parents, students, and each other.
• Improved connections between classroom and home. Teachers are better equipped to manage concurrent teaching with blended learning students at school and those who are fully remote.
• Easy access to data to develop personal learning paths. Once teachers have determined significant learning gaps and studied the complete view of the student, they can design engaging courses, lessons, and assignments that support personalized learning.

Develop Effective Curriculum

PowerSchool’s classroom products allow you to scale personalized learning efforts. Understanding the whole picture of learning loss is necessary to develop a relevant curriculum that meets students where they are. With Performance Matters and Schoology Learning working together, we can set up students and educators for success.