The pandemic’s lasting impact on education

Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, its effects on K-12 education remain significant. Education Week highlights nine key areas impacted, including a decline in U.S. public school enrollment, which peaked at nearly 50.8 million students in 2019 but has not recovered since. The pandemic also affected early education, with many low-income children missing crucial preschool years, leading to behavioral issues reported by teachers. Teacher salaries have not kept pace with inflation, with over two-thirds of teachers feeling their pay is unfair. Additionally, school staffing levels have been affected by pandemic relief funding, and the number of school shootings has increased as students returned to campuses. National reading and math scores have dropped to historic lows, and chronic absenteeism among 4th graders has risen significantly. Mental health concerns for high school students have also escalated, with a notable increase in suicide rates among teens. Maya Riser-Kositsky, a librarian and data specialist, emphasizes the ongoing need for mental health support in schools.