From the paper: "... we use NWEA MAP test data to examine variation in students’ achievement and growth during the pandemic across multiple dimensions. Consistent with prior evidence, we find that students’ test scores in fall 2021, on average, were substantially below historic averages. We present novel evidence on the distributions of test scores and growth in fall 2021 relative to pre-pandemic distributions, finding disproportionately larger declines for students with lower previous achievement levels across districts. Therefore, accurately targeting students and choosing interventions for pandemic-related recovery will require careful assessment by districts of their students’ achievement and growth in the 2021-22 school year (and into the future)..."