<p>From tech booms to learning gaps: 10 dramatic shifts in US education since Covid. (Getty Images)<br></p>

10 shifts in US education since Covid: The Covid-19 pandemic had a seismic impact on the US education system, upending traditional learning methods and forcing schools across the nation to adapt in unprecedented ways. As the pandemic spread, nearly every school in the country shut down, transitioning to remote learning in a matter of weeks. Five years later, the effects of those closures continue to reverberate through classrooms, reshaping how education is delivered and received.
From the rise of technology in the classroom to deepening academic inequalities, the pandemic has sparked lasting changes. The aftermath has left many students struggling to recover lost learning time, with some facing setbacks that could last years. Here are 10 dramatic shifts in US education since Covid.
1. Students are still paying for Covid learning disruptions
Covid-era disruptions continue to have a profound effect on student performance. Even as recovery efforts progress, many students remain behind their pre-pandemic peers. According to Karyn Lewis, Vice President of Research at NWEA, an analysis of the MAP test shows that students who missed foundational skills are still struggling with more advanced material. The recovery, she noted, could take up to seven years in math alone, as reported by the Chalkbeat.
2. Schools recognize struggling students need individualized support
In response to significant learning gaps, school districts have increasingly invested in tutoring, summer school, and academic interventionists. These efforts have shown promising results, with teachers and administrators recognizing that students needed individualized support long before the pandemic. However, with federal relief funds expiring, the challenge now is to sustain these initiatives without additional financial aid, as highlighted by the Chalkbeat.
3. Schools more active in addressing student mental health
The isolation and stress brought on by school closures and the loss of family members to the virus have left many students struggling with mental health challenges. Schools have responded by implementing social and emotional learning (SEL) curricula and hiring more counselors. In New York, local officials have ramped up investments in student wellness programs, with peer-to-peer mental health initiatives gaining popularity, as reported by the Chalkbeat.
4. School closures leave legacy of mistrust, political strife
School closures sparked political debates about individual rights versus collective responsibility, leading to a breakdown in the relationship between parents and schools. As Keri Rodrigues Langan, President of the National Parents Union, explained, many parents felt excluded from decision-making processes, and their mistrust grew when remote learning exposed inadequacies in teaching, as quoted by the Chalkbeat.
5. School feels optional. Lots of kids are opting out
Chronic absenteeism surged during the pandemic, and many students have continued to miss school at alarmingly high rates. By the 2021-22 school year, nearly 30% of US students were chronically absent, double the pre-pandemic rate. According to Lydia Rainey of the Center on Reinventing Public Education, schools have struggled to re-engage students, as the perception that school is optional persists, as reported by the Chalkbeat.
6. Something has gone very wrong with reading
Reading scores, as measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), dropped to their lowest point in 30 years, with fewer students reading for pleasure. While math recovery is proceeding more smoothly, literacy remains a challenge, as gaps in foundational reading skills follow students into higher grades. The pandemic has exacerbated these issues, according to the Chalkbeat.
7. Technology is ubiquitous. Some educators are seizing the opportunity
One of the most significant changes to US education has been the dramatic rise in technology usage. Before Covid, less than half of students had access to personal devices at school; now, around 90% of secondary students and 80% of elementary students do. Many educators are embracing this shift, using generative AI to enhance learning and lesson planning, as reported by the Chalkbeat.
8. Schools have fewer students and more staff
While the number of students in US schools has steadily declined due to factors like lower birth rates and rising housing prices, the number of school staff has increased. This trend, driven by federal Covid relief funds, has led to larger staffing levels even as enrollment shrinks. However, with pandemic-era funding now drying up, schools face tough decisions regarding layoffs and budget cuts, as outlined by the Chalkbeat.
9. Child care is now everyone’s problem
The pandemic spotlighted the essential role of child care in supporting the workforce. As child care centers remained open to support essential workers, many families faced significant challenges when these services were interrupted. States have taken steps to expand access to child care, but the sector is still grappling with rising costs and staffing shortages, as noted by the Chalkbeat.
10. Colleges are adjusting to lower expectations in K-12
The relaxation of academic expectations during the pandemic has extended to higher education. Colleges are now finding that many students entering higher education have lower expectations for discipline and attendance. As reported by the Chalkbeat, universities are adapting by offering more foundational courses to help students adjust to the demands of higher education.
In conclusion, while some positive changes have emerged in the aftermath of the pandemic, the challenges are significant. The shifts in US education since Covid are a reminder of the deep scars left by the crisis, and the ongoing work required to repair and improve the system.