The first results of the German study, KWiK (Continuity and Change in Schools in Times of Crisis) have been published, showing largely positive results with some key areas highlighted to support education in times of disruption. In the summer and fall of 2020, approximately 800 elementary and lower secondary level school principals were surveyed on education during the Covid-19 pandemic and their approaches to tackling the disruption, in the study coordinated by IEA, the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education in Kiel (IPN), and the University of Hamburg.
Commenting on the results, Dr. Dirk Hastedt, IEA Executive Director, said: “While the pandemic is an extraordinary challenge for schools and teachers, it is encouraging to see a number of positive results in this study. Communication has never been more important, so it is especially reassuring to see that the majority of students could be reached while schools were closed. However, KWiK also underlines select groups of students who are not as well equipped with digital media and were less likely to be reached. Providing additional support for these students when reopening schools can help to prevent learning losses, as well as expanding the digital infrastructure and computers, in order to be well prepared for future disruptions."
Read the full press release in German or English below, and view the first KWiK results report in German here.