(New York, NY, Tuesday, July 27, 2021) — Today, research has been released by the Center for Public Research and Leadership (CPRL) at Columbia University which finds that online high-quality instructional materials designed to bring teachers, parents and students together increased student learning and engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The interviews, conducted with more than 290 administrators, teachers and parents in school systems in seven states, were conducted from February 2021 to June 2021. In these schools, teachers not only engaged students, but did so using high-quality instructional materials.

Despite challenges associated with remote learning, teachers, administrators and parents told researchers that students were learning about the same – and sometimes more – than they would have in a “typical” year when they had conditions in which students had support from a caregiver and access to online high-quality instructional materials designed to engage families.

This was in contrast to students who struggled academically, and at a time that many fear learning loss among students, because of pandemic-related learning disruptions.

The research reveals possibilities for sustained engagement in schools moving forward.

The Center for Public Research and Leadership (CPRL) at Columbia University strives to revitalize public school systems while strengthening professional education. Since its founding in 2011, CPRL has provided research and consulting support to state agencies, school districts, charter school organizations, foundations and advocacy groups. In doing so, CPRL provides training to graduate students who are the next generation of education leaders.