Explore

Pandemic Pandemic

Pandemic
The 74 Interview
74 interview
The 74 Interview

Q&A: Education Reporter Anya Kamenetz on COVID Failures & Students’ Stolen Year

In one of the first chronicles of K-12 education during the pandemic, the veteran journalist empathizes with parents who feel ‘betrayed’ by schools

Kevin Mahnken
Author: Kevin Mahnken
Pandemic Policy
CDC
Pandemic

‘Treat This As You Would Any Illness’: Schools Across U.S. Downgrade COVID Rules

Doing away with masking & testing rules, many districts are telling students to stay home if they’re sick, but otherwise to come to class.

Asher Lehrer-Small
Author: Asher Lehrer-Small
Academic Recovery
Academic Recovery

New Data: Was 2022’s Summer Learning ‘Explosion’ Enough To Reverse COVID Losses?

Schools devoted billions to July academics and enrichment. Exclusive data show 9 in 10 districts offered programs — and 8 in 10 offered them for free

Asher Lehrer-Small
Author: Asher Lehrer-Small
Vaccinations
pandemic

Could Polio Outbreak Put Kids at Risk? State Vaccination & Exemption Rates Vary

Laura Fay
Author: Laura Fay
Higher Education
higher education
Pandemic

Teens Have Changed Their Higher Ed Plans — Survey Shows They May Never Go Back

Kristof & Ritter: COVID-19 forced HS students to re-evaluate their learning plans. If colleges want enrollment to recover, they must adapt

John Kristof & Colyn Ritter

Spotlight

Academic Recovery
Academic Recovery

New Data: Was 2022’s Summer Learning ‘Explosion’ Enough To Reverse COVID Losses?

Schools devoted billions to July academics and enrichment. Exclusive data show 9 in 10 districts offered programs — and 8 in 10 offered them for free

Asher Lehrer-Small
Author: Asher Lehrer-Small

More Stories

Untangle Your Mind!

Sign up for our free newsletter and start your day with clear-headed reporting on the latest topics in education.
Oklahoma

Oklahoma Schools Face Substitute Teacher Shortages

Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice
COVID Policy Briefing

Schools Brace for COVID Surge: What New Variants & Vaccines Mean for Students

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
school choice

Not-Back-To-School Time For Homeschoolers

Kerry McDonald
Ohio

Ohio’s Pandemic Recovery Slows As Achievement Gaps Fail To Close

Patrick O’Donnell
Author: Patrick O’Donnell
tutoring

How a Free, 24/7 Tutoring Model is Disrupting Learning Loss for Low-Income Kids

Marianna McMurdock
Author: Marianna McMurdock
child care

How States Can Prepare to Aid Families Through the Looming Child Care Crisis

Nicole Norvell
4Fams

How a Family COVID Project Became a Fun, Creative Outlet for Children Nationwide

Stacey Gillett
Author: Stacey Gillett
Virginia

Despite Post-Pandemic Efforts, Virginia Student Test Scores Remain Mostly Flat

Nathaniel Cline, Virginia Mercury
Analysis

How States Can Make Summer Learning Programs Meaningful and Open to All Students

Allison Crean Davis
Author: Allison Crean Davis

Explore Our News Series

The 74 Interview

Future of High School

Following the COVID Money

The 74 Interview

The 74 interviews the top thinkers, policymakers and leaders in American education

Future of High School

College, Career, Learning Recovery: How America's high schools are evolving for the next generation of teenagers.

Following the COVID Money

An ongoing investigative series on how school districts are spending $190 billion in federal pandemic relief money.

View All
Arizona

Arizona Schools Chief Cancels $70M in COVID Funding to Set Up Tutoring Program

Gloria Gomez, Arizona Mirror
North Carolina

More Than Half of North Carolina’s Students Rated Proficient on State Exams

Greg Childress, NC Newsline
Ohio

Ohio Spending Millions on Online Math Program For Pandemic Recovery

Patrick O’Donnell
Author: Patrick O’Donnell
COVID Policy Briefing

Many Parents Don’t Know How Kids Are Doing in School: 9 Insights into Pandemic Recovery & Aftermath

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
Gen Z

Gen Z’s Declining College Interest Persists — Even Among Middle Schoolers

Joshua Bay
Author: Joshua Bay
The Big Picture

Four Reasons to Be Hopeful from Latest Summer School Study

Greg Toppo
Author: Greg Toppo
Oregon

Oregon’s New Ed Leader Wants More, Diverse Teachers to Catch Kids up From COVID

Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle
COVID Policy Briefing

How Schools Can Recover Fully: 10 Insights into Pandemic Aftermath in U.S. Education

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
pandemic

Students Blocked From Campus During COVID Want Refunds. Some Are Getting Them

Elaine S. Povich, Stateline, an initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts
Florida

Public School Students Set to Start Classes in Florida Amid Rise in COVID Cases

Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix
COVID Policy Briefing

Slow Literacy Gains, Long COVID in Kids: 7 Insights into Pandemic Recovery and Aftermath in U.S. Schools

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
Analysis

Pandemic Emergency May Be Officially Over, but Education’s Long COVID Continues

Lindsay Dworkin
Author: Lindsay Dworkin
learning loss

A Hearing on Learning Loss and a Preview of the Election Battle to Come

Linda Jacobson
Author: Linda Jacobson
New Hampshire

COVID Learning Recovery: New Hampshire Kids Now Learning Faster Than in 2019

Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin
pandemic

Crisis in Teaching Quality May Explain Stagnant Learning Recovery, Report Finds

Marianna McMurdock
Author: Marianna McMurdock
Analysis

Experts: COVID Hurt Kids’ Math Learning More Than Reading and Writing

Scott A. Imberman & Katharine O. Strunk
COVID Policy Briefing

Polarization, Learning Loss, Relief Funds: 7 Insights into Pandemic Recovery and Aftermath in U.S. Schools

John Bailey & Laura Fay
Innovative High Schools

To Combat Nursing Shortage, Rhode Island Charter Turns to High School Students

Greg Toppo
Author: Greg Toppo
Indiana

New Indiana ILEARN Scores Show Improvement, but Still No Pre-Pandemic Bounce-Back

Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle
Cleveland

Outgoing Cleveland Schools CEO Reflects on Push to Remove Learning Barriers

Patrick O’Donnell
Author: Patrick O’Donnell
learning loss

‘Education’s Long COVID’: New Data Shows Recovery Stalled for Most Students

Linda Jacobson
Author: Linda Jacobson
playful learning

From Bus Stops to Laundromats, Cities Embrace Play to Help Kids Learn

Greg Toppo
Author: Greg Toppo
Following the COVID Money

A Season of Scandal Leaves Memphis-Shelby Parents in the Dark on COVID Spending

Linda Jacobson
Author: Linda Jacobson
COVID Policy Briefing

COVID Brief: Billions in COVID Aid Stolen or Wasted, AP Investigation Finds

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
Following the COVID Money

A Tiny, Hasidic District Won’t Explain How It’s Spending $94M in Relief Funds

Linda Jacobson & Asher Lehrer-Small
Class Disrupted Podcast

LISTEN — Class Disrupted S4 E18: Anxiety, Fear, and the Importance of Listening

Michael B. Horn & Diane Tavenner
COVID Policy Briefing

COVID Brief: School Closures and Learning Loss Connected Worldwide, New Report Shows

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
podcast

A New Way to Innovate at Schools: Embrace a Child-Like Mind, Test Boundaries

Diane Tavenner & Michael B. Horn
Following the COVID Money

This Rural Illinois District Curbed Learning Loss With Help From a Burmese Church

Asher Lehrer-Small
Author: Asher Lehrer-Small
COVID Policy Briefing

COVID Brief: Pandemic to Blame for Increase in Toddler Speech Delays

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
COVID-19

COVID School Data: Mental Health Worse, Staffing Tight, Enrollment Frozen

Kevin Mahnken
Author: Kevin Mahnken
Louisiana

Louisiana House Advances Bill to Prohibit COVID Vaccine Requirement for Schools

Piper Hutchinson, Louisiana Illuminator
COVID Policy Briefing

COVID Brief: Parents Don’t Know How Far Behind Kids Have Fallen in School

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
food security

A Pandemic Experiment in Universal Free School Meals Gains Traction in the U.S.

Adam Goldstein, Source New Mexico
Cleveland

Cleveland Schools Pick Indianapolis Academic Chief Warren Morgan as New CEO

Patrick O’Donnell
Author: Patrick O’Donnell
commentary

The Pandemic’s Virtual Learning is Now a Permanent Fixture of America’s Schools

Conor P. Williams
Author: Conor P. Williams
COVID Policy Briefing

COVID Brief: Data Show How Pandemic Hit Student Attendance, Grades, Advancement

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
Following the COVID Money

In Search of Equity, Divided Ga. District Taps COVID Funds for Reading Overhaul

Linda Jacobson
Author: Linda Jacobson
congress

Union Head Pushes Back on GOP Claims of ‘Undue Influence’ on School Closures

Greg Toppo
Author: Greg Toppo
Federal Relief Funds

District Attorney Launches Broad Criminal Probe into Stockton School Spending

Asher Lehrer-Small
Author: Asher Lehrer-Small
Analysis

The Terrible Truth: Current Solutions to COVID Learning Loss Are Doomed to Fail

Margaret Raymond
Author: Margaret Raymond
The 74 Interview

Exclusive 74 Interview: Bill Gates Calls U.S. Education a ‘Challenged Space’

Kevin Mahnken
Author: Kevin Mahnken
COVID Policy Briefing

COVID Brief: Ad Campaign Tells Parents Kids Have Fallen Behind in School

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
COVID Slide

COVID Learning Loss: Missouri Scores Show Dramatic Drop in Student Performance

Joshua Parrish
Kansas

KS Lawmakers Plan to Use COVID Funds to Expand Vouchers to Public School Kids

Rachel Mipro, Kansas Reflector
COVID Policy Briefing

COVID Brief: State Lawmakers Spend Federal Cash on Mental Health

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
podcast

LISTEN — Class Disrupted S4 E12: It’s Time We Talked Money

Michael B. Horn & Diane Tavenner
COVID Slide

Less Classroom Time For Students? New Washington Bill Would Trim 4 Hours a Week

Joshua Parrish
mental health

Awash in Federal Money, State Lawmakers Tackle Worsening Youth Mental Health

Christine Vestal, The Pew Trusts
K-12 Funding

As Testing Approaches, Tenn. Reconsiders Holding Back Third Graders

Linda Jacobson
Author: Linda Jacobson
Union Report

As Schools Close for 3-Day Walkout, Could L.A. Strike Accelerate Learning Loss?

Mike Antonucci
COVID Policy Briefing

COVID Learning Recovery: Many Students Still Lag Behind, But Parents Aren’t Aware

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
Following the COVID Money

50 Extra School Days: This District Uplifts English Learners With COVID Aid

Asher Lehrer-Small
Author: Asher Lehrer-Small
Virginia

Gov. Youngkin Announces New Slate of Efforts to Address Learning Loss in Virginia

Nathaniel Klein, Virginia Mercury
COVID Slide

Iowa Schools Cutting Budgets, Bracing for 2024 Financial Pain as COVID Aid Ends

Joshua Parrish
Analysis

High-Quality Teaching and Materials in Every Class are Key to Students’ Recovery

Laura Slover & Mike Cohen
design-based education

Q&A: Why Virtual Learning Will Thrive Long After the Pandemic

Greg Toppo
Author: Greg Toppo
COVID Policy Briefing

‘The Other Long COVID’ Affecting Kids: Missed Opportunities

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
South by Southwest Education

South by Southwest Education: 23 Panels & Sessions Worth Seeing in 2023

Greg Toppo
Author: Greg Toppo
Analysis

The Stakes Are Only Getting Higher for Pandemic School Aid Spending

Marguerite Roza
Author: Marguerite Roza
podcast

LISTEN — Class Disrupted S4 E10: Education Reflections from Trips to Sierra Leone, Liberia and India

Michael B. Horn & Diane Tavenner
Pandemic

Exclusive: Despite K-2 Reading Gains, Results Flat for 3rd Grade ‘COVID Kids’

Linda Jacobson
Author: Linda Jacobson
COVID Slide

COVID’s Missing Kids: How Connecticut Is Successfully Reengaging Absent Students

Joshua Parrish
Florida

Feds Award Near $10 Million to Fund Mental Health Services in FL Schools

Danielle J. Brown, Florida Phoenix
COVID Policy Briefing

Learning Woes: Half of America’s Students Started This School Year Behind

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
Following the COVID Money

Stockton, CA: What Happens When a Dysfunctional District Gets $241 Million

Linda Jacobson
Author: Linda Jacobson
podcast

LISTEN — Class Disrupted S4 E9: Shake-Up in the Assessment Market

Diane Tavenner & Michael B. Horn
learning environments

Zen Dens and Peace Rooms: How Schools are Giving Kids Space to Reflect, Regulate

Brian Rinker, Youth Today
Analysis

Indy Summer Program Proves Acceleration, Not Remediation, Is Key for Students

Brandon Brown
Author: Brandon Brown
mental health

What One NYC Educator’s Grief Reveals About Teachers’ Mental Health Struggles

Marianna McMurdock
Author: Marianna McMurdock
COVID Policy Briefing

The Final 97 Days of the COVID Emergency: What Changes on May 12

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
New Jersey

New Jersey Lawmaker Wants to Create a State ‘Learning Loss Czar’

Sophie Nieto-Munoz, New Jersey Monitor
school choice

Homeschooling 2.0: Less Religious and Conservative, More Focused on Quality

Greg Toppo
Author: Greg Toppo
The Big Picture

Global Learning Loss: Top 4 Takeaways from Latest International COVID Research

Kevin Mahnken
Author: Kevin Mahnken
The New Normal

Principal Forced to Double as Teacher Alarmed How Pandemic Is Affecting Students

Meghan Gallagher
Author: Meghan Gallagher
The New Normal

One Florida Principal’s Solution to Teacher Shortages? Recruiting His Students

Joshua Bay
Author: Joshua Bay
podcast

LISTEN — Class Disrupted S4 E8: Why Failure — and Pivoting from It — Is Hard in Education

Michael B. Horn & Diane Tavenner
education politics

In 2022 Midterms, Career Ed Emerged as Rare Source of Bipartisan Agreement

Greg Toppo
Author: Greg Toppo
commentary

What Schools Should Do About COVID’s Chronic Impact on Special Ed Students

Bob Cunningham
Author: Bob Cunningham
learning loss

Cardona’s Tutoring Charge, 1 Year Later: Some Progress, but Obstacles Remain

Linda Jacobson
Author: Linda Jacobson
COVID Policy Briefing

COVID Brief: Few Students Use Online Tutoring Programs

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
podcast

LISTEN — Class Disrupted S4 E7: Beneath the AI Hype

Michael B. Horn & Diane Tavenner
The Big Picture

Irked by Skyrocketing Costs, Fewer Americans See K-12 as Route to Higher Ed

Greg Toppo
Author: Greg Toppo
Opinion

‘DARPA for Education’ Is a Good Start. Now, Congress Must Do More

Dan Correa
Author: Dan Correa
Los Angeles

LA Parents, Advocates Blast Uneven Recovery Plan for Students With Disabilities

Will Callan
Analysis

3 Ways for Schools to Make Sure They Get What They Pay for in Learning Recovery

Amanda Neitzel & Jen Krajewski
COVID Policy Briefing

COVID Brief: New Data Reveals Rapid Rise of XBB.1.5 Variant

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
learning loss

99 Days After Hurricane, Hundreds of Florida Students Still Without Classrooms

Jo Napolitano
Author: Jo Napolitano
learning loss

Quarantines, Not School Closures, Led to Devastating Losses in Math and Reading

John Bailey
Author: John Bailey
Analysis

Bracing for a Tidal Wave of Unnecessary Special Education Referrals

Lauren Morando Rhim, Candace Cortiella, Lindsay Kubatzky & Laurie VanderPloeg
snow days

Is Remote Learning Burying Snow Days? It Depends on Where You Live

Nathan M. Sorber, The Conversation
Load More
Adding Up the Benefits

A donation to our Fall campaign helps fund this fact-based journalism and keeps The 74 free for all to read.