Not only is there a teacher shortage coming out of the pandemic, there is now also a shortage of students attending class. Data from Stanford University education professor Thomas Dee in partnership with The Associated Press found that over 25% of U.S. students missed at least 10% of the 2021-22 school year.
In many states, missing over 10% of the year is considered chronically absent. This problem has grown in the past few years. Before the pandemic, only 15% of students were considered chronically absent.
Finances, transportation issues, anxiety, bullying and school staffing shortages are all contributing to kids staying home and missing school. However, attendance is not the only issue schools are facing.
Over the past year in a post-pandemic poll about U.S. schooling, the Nation’s Report Card found that even students attending classes are testing at record low levels.
The New York Post reported New York City public schools are seeing a 17% drop in kindergarten enrollment from the 2016-17 school year — almost 12,000 students. Meanwhile, area charter school enrollment has increased by 18% — about 20,000 students.
