By Maya Rahman-Rios, Elevo Content Manager
In the wake of the pandemic, many educators, parents, and policymakers across the nation have become increasingly concerned with the concept of lost learning time. With schools going online, students faced unprecedented challenges in keeping up with their education, resulting in a slowdown of progress. As we slowly emerge from the crisis, educators and students alike have been working towards reclaiming this time. This helps us ensure that every child has the chance to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
What is Lost Learning Time?
Also referred to as “unfinished learning” or “learning loss,” lost learning time is the educational opportunities that students missed out on or were unable to engage in fully due to unforeseen circumstances. Depending on the disruption, students might not have been able to attend school regularly, have access to quality education, or participate fully in the classroom.
Lost learning time can lead to gaps in knowledge, skills, and academic achievement. It may also affect students’ educational trajectories and longer-term academic outcomes. Plus, it highlights the importance of addressing learning loss and providing intervention opportunities for students to catch back up as they are able.
How Can We Reclaim Lost Learning Time?
While students can never get back this lost time, there are several strategies that schools, external vendors, and loved ones can implement to mitigate its impact.
- Targeted Support: Students who are most at risk of falling behind can benefit from tutoring, small-group instruction, or personalized learning plans.
- Expanded Learning Opportunity Programs (ELO-P): Enriching intersession programs, after-school activities, and extended learning opportunities can help students catch up and prevent further learning loss.
- Flexible Instruction: Models such as blended learning and hybrid approaches cater to different learning styles and circumstances.
- Social-Emotional Learning: This framework helps students foster stronger relationships through empathy, self-awareness, and social awareness.
- Family and Community: Strong partnerships with families and the community at large enrich students’ educational experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
How Elevo Can Support You
Expanded learning programs are one of the best ways to combat lost learning time, and Elevo is more than ready to support your district through this challenge. Our range of in-school and out-of-school programs and services is designed to support the physical, mental, and academic well-being of all students. We offer turnkey expanded learning solutions that include thematic enrichment activities, rotational sports, and SEL-infused PE games to get your students up and moving.
Learn more about our expanded learning opportunity programs here or book a meeting with an Elevo expert here by clicking on Partner With Us.
Final Thoughts
Reclaiming lost learning time isn’t just about academic success. It’s about getting our students back on track, while helping them discover talents, skills, and interests both in the classroom and beyond. By working together on innovative learning strategies, we’re able to create meaningful experiences for every student, every time. Here’s to a brighter future!
