Only 33 percent of schools have recovered in either math or reading 6 years after pandemic

The Hill

by Lexi Lonas Cochran

February 26, 2026

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Only 33 percent of schools have recovered in either math or reading 6 years after pandemic

Only one-third of schools have made significant progress in either reading or math since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education nearly six years ago. According to the NWEA, an educational research group, only 33% of schools have recovered in at least one subject area. Even fewer—around 14%—have regained proficiency in both reading and math. This slow recovery is particularly concerning for schools serving marginalized communities, which face greater challenges in catching up due to resource limitations and systemic inequities. The pandemic's impact on education was profound, with school closures leading to widespread learning losses. NWEA tracked student performance through standardized assessments and found that while some progress has been made, it remains uneven. For instance, White students showed a 14% recovery rate in reading, whereas Hispanic students saw only 6%, and Black students just 5%. This disparity underscores the ongoing struggles of historically underserved populations. The prolonged disruption has left many schools, especially those with fewer resources, struggling to address learning gaps effectively. Marginalized communities often face additional barriers, such as limited access to technology, bilingual instruction, or

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Originally published on The Hill on 2/26/2026