Searching for "Bright Spots": Learning Acceleration Among Elementary Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: Analyzing Promising Practices in Districts (Table 3)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and related impacts uncovered shortfalls within the systems of many school districts across the United States, often bringing to light underlying issues of equity. In 2021, a large district in the Pacific Northwest partnered with a national nonprofit to better understand how some of their schools responded and grew from addressing the equity shortfalls within their systems. Using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory as a framework, the research team applied an asset-lens and conducted a mixed-methods, explanatory study, using analysis of quantitative data from i-Ready Diagnostics Reading scores to identify bright spot schools and then qualitative data from stakeholder interviews to identify practices which could be scaled to accelerate student growth in reading.

Authors

• Ashley Birkeland, Kent School District
  Presenting Author

• Beth R. Holland, The Learning Accelerator
  Presenting Author

• Elizabeth Barker, Kent School District
  Presenting Author

• Nicholas Teal, Kent School District
  Presenting Author

• Rachael Waldrop, Kent School District
  Presenting Author

• Charity Jensen, Kent School District
  Presenting Author

• Jennifer Antrobus, Kent School District
  Presenting Author