Research Points to COVID’s ‘Long Tail’ on School Graduation Rates

Matriculation rates have declined in 26 states, but the full impact of the pandemic’s disruption might not be known for years.

The majority of states, 26, saw declines in high school graduation rates following the pandemic, new research shows. 

In 2020, for example, 10 states had graduation rates of 90% or higher, but only five did in 2022, according to Tuesday’s analysis from the Grad Partnership, a network of nonprofits working to improve student outcomes. 

But the report suggests that the full impact of COVID school closures on graduation rates has yet to be realized. This year’s seniors, for example, were seventh graders when the pandemic hit in March, 2020 and likely spent much of eighth grade learning remotely or in a cycle of on-again, off-again in-person learning.