Online Learning in Law Schools -the Pandemic Experiment

Abstract

Using methods from epidemiology and disaster research methods and data collected by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), this study observes the effects of law students learning online during the COVID-19 Pandemic government mandated closure and transition to online learning. The effects are measured by two measures: Multi-state Bar Examination (MBE) scores because this is consistently given in all states (except one); and the bar passage rate for all jurisdictions. This experimental method is used in catastrophic events when conditions not normally testable can be tested due to the extreme events. These effects can be observed over all law schools which online learning during the period for the classes of 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The findings did not agree with at least one hypothesis. Overall, law students performed slightly better on standardized testing on legal analysis and knowledge (the MBE) with all online learning; but did progressively worse on the overall bar examinations for their jurisdictions the more years they experienced online learning. This presentation will seek to explore this analysis and explain the findings and conclusions.