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Long-Term Decline in Kids' Test Scores Preceded COVID-19, Yet Some Schools Show Improvement

While the pandemic has been associated with significant learning losses, evidence suggests that declines in test scores began years earlier. Some states are now making progress in addressing these issues.

Editorial Staff / 2026-05-13 / 1min

Recent findings indicate that the decline in children's test scores started well before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This challenges the narrative that the pandemic was the sole cause of learning losses.

As schools grapple with these long-standing issues, some states are reportedly implementing strategies that are beginning to yield positive results.

The situation underscores the importance of addressing educational challenges that existed prior to the pandemic, as well as the need for continued efforts to support student learning moving forward.