Recovering lost learning: what can be done quickly and at scale?

This paper draws key messages to help policy and practice to mitigate the disruptive effects of the COVID-19 crisis on student learning. It addresses the growing concerns of both policy and decision-makers about students’ disengagement from – or loss of – learning owing to the pandemic, as reflected in low levels of achievement at checkpoints compared to expected learning levels, reduced rates of completion and/orgrowing disparities in learners' achievement. If policy-makers do not react quickly by providing additional and relevant support to address students’ learning needs, especially those from marginalized groups, millions of children and youth may not return to the classroom, and may eventually drop out of school.