The effect of school closures on standardized test scores: Evidence from Australia

Abstract

We estimate the causal effect of pandemic school closures on standardized test scores in Australia using variation in the length of school closures across states. States independently implemented school closures as part of Australia's successful COVID elimination strategy. School closures in 2020-21 ranged from 4 to 112 school days. We measure achievement using student level panel test score data from a common compulsory standardized test with high participation rates. We find no evidence of large declines in test scores, including for low socioeconomic groups. The variation in test scores we observe post school closures was like that observed in previous years. Show more