The COVID-19 pandemic’s shift to remote learning in K-12 schools led to declines in key college preparation metrics. Percentages of students completing the FAFSA, taking the ACT, and enrolling in their first year of college dropped significantly in the 2020-21 academic year, according to NBER data. This highlights the broader impacts of disrupted high school education on postsecondary pathways.
Key Points
- FAFSA completion rates fell during the 2020-21 school year.
- ACT participation and first-year college enrollments declined.
- Remote learning in high schools contributed to these enrollment drains.
Implications for Educational Freedom
This decline illustrates the negative effects of government-mandated remote learning on educational outcomes, strengthening the case for school choice and parental rights to prevent such disruptions. It empowers parents to seek alternatives like vouchers or charters for more resilient education options.
Source: COVID remote learning put drain on college enrollment