The first full school year disrupted by the pandemic has led to a dip in High school graduation rates in at least 20 US states. The figures suggest coronavirus may have ended nearly two decades of nationwide progress toward getting more students diplomas, an analysis shows.

The drops came despite at least some states and educators loosening standards to help struggling students.

The results, according to data obtained from 26 states and analyzed by Chalkbeat, are the latest concerning trend in American education, which has been rocked by a pandemic that left many students learning remotely last year and continues to complicate teaching and learning. Some fear that the next several graduating classes could be even more affected.

In 2020, when schools shuttered for the final months of the school year, most states waived outstanding graduation requirements and saw graduation rates tick up. But the picture was different for the class of 2021. In 20 of 26 states that have released their data, graduation rates fell. Comprehensive national data will likely not be available until 2023.

Last year’s senior class saw school disrupted in distinct ways. In Nevada’s Washoe County schools, for example, the graduation rate tumbled by 2.6 points as many teens worked longer hours or spent more time caring for siblings.

As course failures stacked up, a trend schools reported nationwide, counselors nudged seniors to come to school in person to make up missed credits.

One of last year’s graduates, 19-year-old De’karius Graham, had an up-close view of how 12th graders struggled, an experience he describes as “low social interaction, low teacher interaction.” He often turned to YouTube to figure out confusing assignments.

Some fear that cumulative effects of the pandemic stand to hit future graduating classes hardest. This school year, attendance has also been unusually low.
-AP