Differences in engagement and achievement between high- and low-GPA students grew more sharply during the pandemic among Chicago Connected participants than among eligible non-participants¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associational r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2025 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Gaps in engagement and achievement between high- and low-pre-pandemic-GPA students widened more among participants than among otherwise similar eligible non-participants. → Schachner 2025

Evidence¶

Schachner 2025¶

Schachner, J.N., Marwell, N.P., de la Torre, M., Gwynne, J.A., & Allensworth, E.M. (2025). How did Chicago Connected broadband access eligibility and participation affect remote learning engagement and achievement during the COVID-19 pandemic? Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Consortium on School Research. https://edworkingpapers.com/ai25-1153

q2 · i? · associational · r2

Comparative finding from the OLS analyses comparing participants to otherwise similar eligible non-participants on the engagement index and GPA outcomes. The comparison contrasts "Chicago Connected participants" with "otherwise similar, eligible non-participants."

"Differences in engagement and achievement between students with high and low GPAs grew more sharply during the pandemic period among Chicago Connected participants, compared to otherwise similar, eligible non-participants."

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Access — moderator: an instructional effect differs with it

Related Claims¶

• Chicago Connected eligibility was associated with higher fall 2020 engagement for high pre-pandemic GPA students but lower engagement for low pre-pandemic GPA students — related
• Chicago Connected eligibility was associated with a slightly lower fall 2020 GPA in the full analytic sample, with no variation by pre-pandemic academic performance — related
• Among eligible students, Chicago Connected participation increased remote learning engagement for high pre-pandemic GPA students but decreased it for low pre-pandemic GPA students — related
• Chicago Connected participation was associated with higher fall 2020 and spring 2021 GPAs for high pre-pandemic GPA students and lower GPAs for low pre-pandemic GPA students — related
• The achievement divide between high and low achievers widened significantly over the last two years of the pandemic — related
• Achievement gaps between low-poverty and high-poverty elementary schools grew by .10–.20 SD, primarily during 2020–2021 — related