Local pandemic school shutdowns hurt kids of color the most

Unnecessary pandemic school closure, driven by local teachers' unions, disproportionately harmed children of color in lower-income schools, says a new report from McKinsey and Co. The Wall Street Journal laments.
The consulting firm examined spring 2021 test results for 1.6 million students in grades 1 through 6 across the U.S., then compared their performance with that of similar students pre-pandemic. They discovered that pandemic-era children were, on average, about four months behind in reading and five months behind in math.

McKinsey found that children in majority black schools ended the school year a full six months behind in math and reading on average. Students in schools where the average household income was below $25,000 were seven months behind in math and six months in reading.

Many affluent parents have paid for tutors or private school, but the most vulnerable children don't have that option. The solution is more school choice nationwide.

Read the whole thing here.

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