The Impact of COVID-19 on Learning Loss in Elementary School Students: A Comparative Study of Academic Performance Across Grades

The COVID-19 pandemic led to extensive school closures and an accelerated shift to remote learning, which had substantial consequences for students’ academic development. This study seeks to examine the impact of COVID-19 on learning loss among elementary students in southern Italy, with a focus on grade-level variations across key academic domains, including spelling, reading comprehension, reading speed and accuracy, and mathematical abilities. A sample of 332 students from grades II through V participated, with their performance being evaluated using standardized assessments for each academic skill. Findings revealed that students in grade III encountered greater difficulties in spelling and reading comprehension compared to both older and younger cohorts, indicating that remote learning may have disproportionately affected the initial stages of skill acquisition. These results highlight the necessity for targeted interventions, especially for younger students and those with preexisting academic challenges, to address the lasting effects of pandemic-related educational disruptions.