Hi Friend,

There are too many unknowns about the effects of virtual learning on students. But from the current and historic data we have, it’s not looking good. 

Here are some STATS on how pandemic learning is hurting students:

EDUCATIONAL

• “Based on historical learning trends and prior research on how out-of-school-time affects learning, we estimated that students would potentially begin fall 2020 with roughly 70% of the learning gains in reading relative to a typical school year.” - Brookings Institute
• “In mathematics, students were predicted to show even smaller learning gains from the previous year, returning with less than 50% of typical gains.” - Brookings Institute 

• “Inequality in access to computers and the internet has been widely documented. Lower-income households are less likely than higher-income ones to have internet access and computer availability.” - U.S. Census Bureau 
• “In addition to the disparities in access, low-income households may have lower levels of internet and computer proficiency, competing priorities and/or (in ordinary times) children attend schools that are not well equipped to provide online instruction.” - U.S. Census Bureau 

• “Nearly three in 10 (29%) say their child is ‘already experiencing harm’ to their emotional or mental health because of social distancing and closures.” - Gallup poll
• “Another 14% indicate their children are approaching their limits, saying they could continue social distancing a few more weeks until their mental health suffers.” - Gallup poll