Evidence Project archive
Is it Safe to Reopen Schools?
John Bailey, March 2021
One year after nationwide public school closures, a growing body of medical research and firsthand experiences of school systems worldwide can provide a sound basis for determining a reopening strategy. This report examines the collective findings of more than 120 studies and considers their implications for current decisions.
These studies cover a wide array of topics, including risks for children, transmissibility concerns, and the impact of school reopenings on community spread.
The kids are (really) not alright: A synthesis of Covid–19 student surveys
A synthesis of new student surveys that have come out during the 2020–21 school year suggests that while online instruction appears to have improved since the start of the pandemic, students are truly struggling to stay motivated and to have a healthy mental state of mind.
Credit recovery isn't enough: How to manage a surge of failing course grades
Failing grades are on the rise across the country, especially for students who are learning online. This synthesis offers a national scan of news reports and school district documents, combined with data from educator surveys.
Teachers are not all right: How the COVID-19 pandemic is taking a toll on the nation's teachers
Melissa Diliberti
January 2021
The pandemic has put unprecedented demands on teachers, who were asked to pivot instruction to the cloud and find new ways of connecting with families and students. Julia Kaufman and Melissa Diliberti offer fresh evidence on how teachers are faring as they navigate these unprecedented times.
College enrollment data and student surveys paint a troubling picture about postsecondary transitions during COVID-19. How can states respond?
Sarah McCann
December 2020
Georgia Heyward and Sarah McCann looked at college enrollment data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center and 13 student perception surveys from the spring and summer to understand college-going patterns during the pandemic.
Putting parents at the center of school reopening: Highlights from COVID-19 parent surveys
Padma Gundapaneni
Cara Pangelinan
November 2020
Ashley Jochim, Padma Gundapaneni, and Cara Pangelinan set out to understand parents’ attitudes about school reopening and the impacts of school closures on their children’s well-being, as well as how families are adjusting their plans in response to school closures.
They find a majority of parents consistently favor some in-person learning, but support for fully in-person learning dropped significantly over the summer amid rising case counts and public health fears.
Matching Supports to Student Needs: Survey results highlight where schools, policymakers can help
Amie Rapaport
Dan Silver
November 2020
With the October wave of nationally representative Understanding America Study survey data of 1,335 households over time, Anna Saavedra, Amie Rapaport, and Dan Silver describe the emerging picture of who remote K-12 learners are and what resources are available to them.
Together, these data show how the gaps in computer access, childcare, and academic support can exacerbate educational inequity. Policymakers and school system leaders should focus their attention on improvements in each of these areas, particularly for lower-income households.
Learning as We Go: Principles for Effective Assessment During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Lynn Olson
July 2020
Robin Lake and Lynn Olson summarize the findings from a panel of assessment experts on diagnostic assessments and their role in helping educators and parents support student learning. The panel is part of the Evidence Project at CRPE.
This paper outlines steps districts and schools can take as they approach testing this fall. (July 2020)
