Published on Monday by the Nature Human Behaviour journal, the analysis compiled the results of 42 studies examining pandemic learning loss from 15 countries around the globe. It found that, globally, children lost 35 percent of a school year’s worth of learning during the pandemic.

The studies also indicate that attempts to reverse the severe learning loss caused by COVID school closures have been far from successful. Upon returning to the classroom, the deficits created during the pandemic have remained “incredibly stable,” indicating that pandemic-era learning losses are likely to follow children throughout the rest of their academic careers.

The deficits are particularly pronounced in mathematics, which may be because “learning progress in mathematics is more dependent on formal instruction than in reading.” As the analysis notes, “This might be due to parents being better equipped to help their children with reading, and children advancing their reading skills (but not their maths skills) when reading for enjoyment outside of school.”

[Just more data to underscore what should be plain anyway — and perhaps this underestimates the damage done. — Ed]