The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions to teaching and learning. In March 2020, COVID-19 pandemic was recognized as a life-threatening virus, therefore, schools across the United States of America had an induced lockdown, which prevented the continuation of in-person learning. Adjustments, quickly, were made to the learning environment, and the learners had to adapt to this "new learning." This research study examined how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the Reading/ELA and Math achievements of eighth-grade students enrolled in a rural school district in the Low Country of South Carolina. It also examined how the students were affected by their gender. Did the boys' scores decrease during this pandemic as compared to the girls'? Did the girls' scores decrease during this pandemic as compared to the boys'? Lastly, the research examined the student' achievement by their ethnicity. Did one race of students decline more than another race? The Norm-Referenced Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment, in correlation with SC-READY, was the large-scale instrument used in conducting this study. Results showed there was not any significant difference on eighth grade Reading/ELA student achievement before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic did not cause any significant difference for eight grade Reading/ELA students as related to gender. Also, there was no significant difference on eighth grade Reading/ELA student achievement before and after the COVID-19 pandemic as related to ethnicity. Additionally, while there was slide in the scores there was no significant difference on eighth grade Math student achievement before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic did not cause any significant difference for eighth grade Math students as related to gender. Lastly, there was no significant difference on eighth grade Math student achievement before and after the COVID-19 pandemic as related to ethnicity. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]