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Have Nevada students fallen behind those in other states due to pandemic school closures?

By Todd Butterworth
YES

Available data studying learning loss in Nevada as compared to the nation is still preliminary because the “Nations Report Card” from the National Center for Education Statistics does not have post-pandemic data available. However, Politico compiled a “State Pandemic Scorecard” that includes education outcomes. It shows only six states had worse education impacts than Nevada, and states with more restrictive school closure policies tended to fare worse than those that reopened their schools sooner. It should be noted the education data in the Politico scorecard is preliminary and partial.

A study by the nonprofit NWEA shows pandemic school closures had a substantial negative impact on student achievement nationally. Test scores from 5.4 million U.S. students in grades 3-8 revealed a significantly greater impact from pandemic lockdowns than previous school disruptions, such as those caused by natural disasters. 

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
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