Have You Heard About the Pandemic Generation?

The impact of learning loss from COVID-19 is still unfolding, with researchers calling today’s students the "pandemic generation." Disruptions in education have led to literacy gaps and widening achievement disparities, particularly among marginalized communities. Some experts are even warning of a "generational catastrophe" if urgent action isn’t taken to address these setbacks.

Interestingly, leading Canadian education researchers have been hesitant to focus on "learning loss." Instead, they’ve championed a "build back better" approach—one aimed at long-term transformation in teaching and learning. While well-intentioned, this strategy left education authorities without crucial student-assessment data, making it difficult to track the pandemic’s impact on learning outcomes.

So where do we go from here? A recent article explores this pressing issue and what can be done to bridge the gap.