Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
LEO Team
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the education system in March 2020, CGLR quickly pivoted to launch the Learning Loss Recovery Challenge (LLRC), a network-wide mobilization effort to mitigate the pandemic’s adverse effects on learning. The LLRC initiative built on CGLR’s existing credibility and partnerships to tackle learning loss, especially among vulnerable populations. This effort aligned with CGLR’s ongoing commitment to ensure early school success for children in economically challenged, fragile and marginalized families, fostering their potential for high school graduation and more hopeful futures.
Pivot to the Learning Loss Recovery Challenge (LLRC)
Soon after launching LLRC, CGLR partnered with McKinsey & Company to present data on school closures and the pandemic’s widening education opportunity gap based on their July 2020 report: COVID-19 and Student Learning in the United States: The Hurt Could Last a Lifetime.
With the data indicating that the disruption of schools would hit economically vulnerable students the hardest, CGLR acted swiftly, leveraging partnerships with over 100 organizations as well as state and local donors, to advance an “all-in, all-out” mobilization effort aimed at addressing and mitigating learning loss.
One of the key strategies was raising awareness and issuing a call to action to stakeholders. Through direct outreach to education decision-makers, CGLR called for learning loss recovery to be prioritized at local and national levels. They urged parents to be recognized as essential partners in their children’s education and for communities to provide spaces that foster learning, even outside formal school settings.
LLRC and the GLR Learning Tuesdays Webinar Series
The GLR Learning Tuesdays webinars have played a crucial role in the Learning Loss Recovery Challenge. From March 2020 to September 2024, CGLR hosted more than 135 LLRC webinars featuring 785 presenters, drawing more than 30,000 attendees. These webinars not only raise awareness but also offer tools, data and actionable insights to tackle the challenges exacerbated by the pandemic.
Guided by three core imperatives—following the data, highlighting bright spots and encouraging smart investments—these webinars explore the significant impact of learning loss on low-income children and the wider educational system. They bring together diverse stakeholders, including educators, social entrepreneurs and policy makers. This collaboration fosters a deeper understanding of the multifaceted challenges in learning loss recovery while promoting innovative strategies like digital equity and parental engagement.
Bright Spots and Big Bets for Equitable Academic Recovery
While communicating the dire challenges posed by the pandemic, the LLRC also focuses on bright spots that offer hope for transformative change. The emphasis on digital equity, recognizing parents as key partners and reshaping how schools function in communities provides pathways to mitigate the pandemic’s impact on learning outcomes.
CGLR has encouraged “big bets” for equitable recovery:
- enhancing digital connectivity
- promoting high-dosage tutoring
- investing in teacher development
- transforming out-of-school learning environments.
These strategies have been spotlighted in webinars, such as the EdWeek Leadership Symposium, where experts highlighted how these bets could reshape children’s learning opportunities. CGLR continued the focus on “big bets” in a series of webinars that began in late 2023.
Looking Forward to Continued Progress
The Learning Loss Recovery Challenge, supported by the GLR Learning Tuesdays webinars, has made significant strides in addressing the learning loss and disruptions brought about by the pandemic. However, the work is far from over. As we move through 2024 and beyond, CGLR remains committed to ensuring that smart investments in learning recovery continue to drive sustainable progress. This work is more of a marathon than a sprint, and CGLR’s dedication to mobilizing cross-sector support will be essential for lasting change.
Together, with continued commitment, collaboration and investment, we can help ensure that no child is left behind in the journey toward early school success.
