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The resilience in test scores and the mitigating effect of summer schools one year after the COVID-19 school closures

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  • Gambi, Letizia
  • De Witte, Kristof

Abstract

In response to the COVID-19 related school closures and with the aim of strengthening education system resilience, numerous countries have implemented focused remedial programs during both the academic year and summer breaks. This study examines the persistence of learning deficits and the efficacy of summer schools in the Flemish region of Belgium, one year after the COVID-19-related school closures. Utilizing a seven-year panel dataset of standardized test scores in primary education, we identify between-cohorts learning deficits compared to 2019 levels in all subjects but social science. Our analysis reveals that, although summer schools targeted at vulnerable students have effectively mitigated further learning deficits in these schools, disparities in educational attainment persist. A quantile analysis suggests that mathematics test scores of the best-performing students within a school have significantly declined. This paper contributes to the understanding of education impacts stemming from educational disruptions, highlighting the role of remedial interventions in mitigating these effects.

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  • Gambi, Letizia & De Witte, Kristof, 2024. "The resilience in test scores and the mitigating effect of summer schools one year after the COVID-19 school closures," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:labeco:v:90:y:2024:i:c:s0927537124000447
    DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2024.102549
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gajderowicz, Tomasz & Jakubowski, Maciej & Kennedy, Alec & Christrup, Christian & Patrinos, Harry Anthony & Strietholt, Rolf, 2024. "The Learning Crisis: Three Years After COVID-19," IZA Discussion Papers 17550, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Bruna Campisano & Giuseppe Migali & Steve Bradley, 2024. "Spatial Variations in the Impact of Covid-19 on the Educational Gender Gap in English Secondary Schools," Working Papers 415678839, Lancaster University Management School, Economics Department.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; School closures; Summer schools; Learning deficits; Educational attainment; Standardised tests;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality

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