Report predicts $31 trillion in pandemic learning loss

Pandemic learning loss could cost U.S. economy $31 trillion

What you probably already know: The annual Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count study released this week took a hard look at learning loss as a result of the pandemic and the prognosis is not good. “If leaders don’t make sure students learn what they missed … it could cost our children hundreds of billions of dollars in future earnings,” the report states. The report looks at basic reading and math skills and found unprecedented drops in learning during the Covid years.

Why? The results were worse for children of color and those in lower economic areas, where chronic absence is exacerbating the issue. Only 26% of eighth graders were proficient in math, a drop from 33% pre-pandemic, and 30% of students were chronically absent.

What it means: The report is clear that this is not entirely a product of the pandemic — these metrics have been bad or getting worse for years, unlike other nations where school performance is improving. The report estimates that inaction could have a $31 trillion impact on the U.S. economy as these students enter the workforce.

What happens now? There is a deadline for states that have delayed spending their share of the $190 billion pandemic funding issued to schools. If the state hasn’t allocated the funds by Sept. 30, they’ll go away. The Casey Foundation recommends states ensure access to free or low-cost school meals, expand tutoring services, add support for emotional and physical wellbeing, better track attendance, and embrace a positive approach to encouraging the chronically absent to return to school.

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