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  4. May 2023
  5. Exacerbated Inequalities: The Learning Loss from COVID-19 in Italy

Exacerbated Inequalities: The Learning Loss from COVID-19 in Italy

  • Michela Carlana
  • Eliana La Ferrara
  • Carolina Lopez
AEA Papers and Proceedings
vol. 113, May 2023
(pp. 489-93)
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Abstract

Using administrative data on the universe of eighth graders, we study learning losses in Italy between 2021 and 2019 to estimate the effect of schools' closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We find an average learning loss of 0.14 SD in math and 0.05 SD in reading. The pandemic widened preexisting gaps by socioeconomic status (SES): students in the bottom quintile of SES learned 0.21 SD less in math and 0.10 SD less in reading. Learning losses for immigrant students in math are larger than those for native ones. We do not find economically significant differences by gender.

Citation

Carlana, Michela, Eliana La Ferrara, and Carolina Lopez. 2023. "Exacerbated Inequalities: The Learning Loss from COVID-19 in Italy." AEA Papers and Proceedings, 113: 489-93. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20231010

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • H52 National Government Expenditures and Education
  • H75 State and Local Government: Health; Education; Welfare; Public Pensions
  • I12 Health Behavior
  • I21 Analysis of Education
  • I26 Returns to Education
  • I28 Education: Government Policy
  • J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth