Understanding the Impact of Learning Gaps

Many students’ learning was disrupted for about two years during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. As schools shifted from in person to remote to hybrid or a combination thereof, it interrupted lessons and changed how students interacted with information. In turn, this contributed to gaps in learning, some of which are only now being realized.

What are Learning Gaps?

Learning gaps are occur when there is a discrepancy between what students have learned and what they are expected to know by a certain point. Each grade and subject have core standards and competencies that students are expected to master. These skills prepare them for what they will learn in following years. If there are gaps in their knowledge and understanding, it can impact their ability to learn more advanced skills that depend on prior knowledge.

Many subjects are cyclical. Students see the same information multiple times over the years, just in different ways. In addition, these skills and concepts tend to build on themselves as well. What students learned in pre-algebra shows up again in algebra and then again in geometry and so on. If students do not have a strong grasp on the quadratic formula, they may struggle to solve quadratic equations later. Or if solving for a single variable is difficult for them, they may become lost when trying to solve for multiple unknowns.

Math is just one example, but the same concept applies for other subjects as well. Learning gaps can affect all content areas, from math to language arts to science to history. Students may be able to skim by for a while on what they do know, but eventually that gap widens, and they begin to fall further behind.

How Can You Close Learning Gaps?

The first step is identifying where there are gaps in knowledge or skills. This may be apparent by your child’s grades or their comments about certain classes. They may become frustrated with homework or complain that they don’t understand what they’re learning. Sometimes, they don’t realize that lack of prior knowledge is the cause.

Crafting Scholars offers different diagnostic tests to determine what students know and where they may be missing concepts. This creates a clearer picture of where additional support is needed. A customized curriculum is then developed that targets these key areas in order to reteach or reinforce weak or missing information to build mastery.

In some instances, it may not take much to catch a student up to where they should be. With reinforcement in class plus some one-on-one tutoring, they’re able to complete current coursework with good understanding.

In other cases, it may take more time to fill in the gaps and strengthen their foundational skills. But tutoring can provide focused practice outside of school so they’re not missing any class time and are working on specific areas of need at their own pace.

Crafting Scholars’ learning specialists present information in a way that fits with each student’s learning style and abilities so that concepts make sense. They are exposed to information using different strategies and gain not only essential skills but confidence in their abilities as well. If you think your child may be struggling to overcome learning gaps, contact Crafting Scholars today to see how we can help!