Which factor that affects student learning is referred to as a break in upward progress?

The factor affecting student learning that is referred to as a break in upward progress is best represented by learning plateaus. A learning plateau occurs when a student’s progress in understanding or skill development ceases or significantly slows down after a period of advancement. During this plateau phase, learners may feel frustrated or discouraged because they are not seeing the improvements they expect, despite the amount of effort they are putting into their studies or practice.

In contrast, learning gaps refer to the deficiencies in knowledge or skills that can hinder student progress but do not specifically indicate a stagnation of performance. Learning obstacles encompass various external or internal challenges that may interfere with learning, such as environmental issues or personal distractions. Learning styles refer to the different ways individuals prefer to engage with and process information, which can influence how effectively they learn but does not directly describe a halt in improvement.

Therefore, learning plateaus accurately captures the concept of a stall or break in a learner's upward trajectory in their educational journey.