Education systems around the world were already facing a learning crisis before the COVID-19 pandemic. If nothing changes, school closures due to COVID-19 will exacerbate this learning crisis. But insights from recent research on education systems suggest that three steps can mitigate these losses and make systems better in the long run:

1. Commit to a system-wide prioritisation of foundational skills;
2. Assess children's learning level when schools reopen;
3. Adapt instruction to meet children where they are.