Who Benefits from Remote Schooling?

Authors: Jesse Bruhn, Christopher Campos, Eric Chyn 

Project Summary

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, school districts around the country quickly transitioned to providing full- or part-time remote learning options for students who had otherwise been attending school completely in person. These unusual and unprecedented circumstances meant that families suddenly had an opportunity to assess the suitability of remote learning for their children over an extended time. Although there is growing evidence that remote learning contributed to substantial learning losses during the pandemic, many districts are now planning to offer permanent, expanded remote options to satisfy ongoing parental demand.

Why do so many families continue to prefer remote schooling, and which students are best suited for it? This study begins to address these important questions within the context of the Los Angeles Unified School District, providing relevant insights for parents, educators, and policymakers as they consider the ongoing effects of remote learning on students.

Key Findings

  • Most LAUSD parents had negative experiences with remote learning during the 2020-21 academic year, but a sizable group of parents had positive experiences.
  • On average, LAUSD students experienced learning losses in math and reading under remote schooling during the pandemic, but students whose families expressed high demand for remote schooling experienced learning gains.

Policy Implications

Remote learning may not be appropriate for all students, but it could be the best option for some. Providing more opportunities for families to experience and assess the “fit” of different instructional modes for their students, including remote options, likely enables them to make better decisions about which forms of schooling are best suited for their children.

Project Resources

Policy Brief