PHILADELPHIA, PA – When Congress allocated billions of dollars to schools during the pandemic, the focus was primarily on reopening campuses and ensuring the safety of teachers and students. However, the greatest challenge turned out to be helping students recover from significant academic setbacks experienced during the height of the pandemic.

Two recent reports have shown that the federal funding did have a positive impact on student learning. Despite the unprecedented amount of money allocated, many students are still lagging behind in their academic progress. Researchers have found that additional spending would be necessary to fully catch up the students who have fallen behind.

The federal funding, the largest one-time investment in education in U.S. history, was not enough to address all the academic needs. Some of the funding was directed towards covid mitigation and testing, rather than academic recovery. In addition, not all districts received robust funding, and the losses in student learning were substantial.

Studies conducted by researchers from leading universities such as Harvard and Stanford have shown that an increase in federal funding resulted in gains in math and reading for students. The additional funds translated into a noticeable impact on student achievement, with some districts showing significant gains in test scores.

In districts like Philadelphia and Cleveland, where substantial federal funding was received, students saw improved learning outcomes. Investments in extra learning time, tutoring, and academic support programs have contributed to the progress witnessed in these districts. However, with the federal funding running out, districts are facing challenges in maintaining these supports.

While federal funding played a crucial role in accelerating academic recovery, there are still gaps in understanding how the funds were utilized and which interventions were most effective. Researchers emphasize the importance of assessing the impact of different initiatives to guide future funding allocations effectively.

Overall, the studies highlight the significant impact of federal funding on student learning outcomes but also underscore the need for continued investment and strategic allocation of resources to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed academically.