literature-review PR resolves #19

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+# Literature Review Summary: Learning Gaps in Math Post-COVID  
+
+## Key Papers Reviewed  
+
+### **Paper 1**  
+
+**Title:** The Impact of COVID-19 on Education  
+**Authors:** United Nations  
+**Published In:** Policy Brief (2020)  
+**Link:** [UN Policy Brief](https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2020/08/sg_policy_brief_covid-19_and_education_august_2020.pdf)
+
+**Summary:**  
+
+- Global education disruption affected **1.6 billion learners** at its peak.  
+- Highlights systemic inequities (e.g., digital divide).  
+
+**Relevance to Our Project:**  
+
+- Provides **global context** for learning disruptions.  
+- Supports problem framing with authoritative data.  
+
+---
+
+### **Paper 2**  
+
+**Title:** COVID-19 Learning Loss: What It Looks Like and How to Address It  
+**Authors:** McKinsey & Company (2021)  
+**Link:** [McKinsey Report](https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/education/our-insights/covid-19-and-learning-loss-disparities-grow-and-students-need-help)
+
+**Summary:**  
+
+- **Primary math education** suffered the most severe losses.  
+- Low-income students lost **3–5 months** of learning on average.  
+
+**Relevance:**  
+
+- Directly aligns with our focus on **primary math gaps**.  
+- Identifies high-impact interventions (e.g., tutoring).  
+
+---
+
+## Common Themes Observed  
+
+1. **Disproportionate Impact:**  
+   - Math proficiency declined more than literacy.  
+   - Low/middle-income countries (LMICs) faced steeper drops due to
+   **lack of digital infrastructure**.  
+
+2. **Recovery Challenges:**  
+   - Teachers report **heterogeneous skill levels** in post-pandemic classrooms.
+   - "One-size-fits-all" approaches fail to address gaps.