Learning loss due to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic

TLDR

School closures have been widely used to curb COVID‑19, but their costs and benefits remain unclear, and the Netherlands offers a best‑case setting with a brief lockdown, equitable funding, and high broadband access. The study evaluates the impact of school closures on learning by comparing national exam results before and after lockdown in the Netherlands. The authors use a natural experiment, contrasting exam scores taken before and after the lockdown, to assess learning outcomes. Despite favorable conditions, students made little or no progress while learning from home, with learning loss most pronounced among students from disadvantaged homes.

Abstract

Significance School closures have been a common tool in the battle against COVID-19. Yet, their costs and benefits remain insufficiently known. We use a natural experiment that occurred as national examinations in The Netherlands took place before and after lockdown to evaluate the impact of school closures on students’ learning. The Netherlands is interesting as a “best-case” scenario, with a short lockdown, equitable school funding, and world-leading rates of broadband access. Despite favorable conditions, we find that students made little or no progress while learning from home. Learning loss was most pronounced among students from disadvantaged homes.