Months of learning as a metric for communicating achievement gaps¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 theoretical), q1 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

Months of learning is a translation of test scores into an intuitive time-based unit, used to communicate how many months or years of schooling students appear to be behind. The brief treats it as a metric whose "perceived accessibility" makes it attractive for public communication, while cautioning that "there are major downsides to this translation". The brief explains how the metric is calculated and examines its trade-offs.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Selection of an appropriate benchmark of typical learning against which test scores are translated

Constraints¶

• The translation carries major downsides that the brief discusses, so it should not be used uncritically

Target Learners¶

• K-12 students whose test scores are translated into months of learning

Target Learning Objectives¶

• Communicating student achievement and learning loss in accessible units

Claims¶

• Months Of Learning Translation Major Downsides [+W]

Related Theories¶

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Megan Kuhfeld, Melissa Diliberti, Andrew McEachin, Jon Schweig, Louis T. Mariano. (2023). Typical learning for whom? Guidelines for selecting benchmarks to calculate months of learning. Research brief. https://www.nwea.org/research/publication/73510/