Post-Pandemic-Onset Public School Enrollment and Mobility: Evidence From Virginia

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Twelve
  In Roundtable Session: Enrollment Patterns in Changing School Environments (Table 5)

Abstract

Public school enrollment appeared to dramatically decrease during the pandemic, but the patterns of decline and student movement across schools in this period are not yet well understood. Using statewide student-level data from Virginia, we find enrollment dropped by four percent between fall 2019 and the first post-pandemic fall of 2020. Drops were largest in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten and among White and economically-advantaged students. Changes were explained mostly by decreases in new enrollees although exits also increased, driven largely by homeschooling and private schools. We observe a decline in the share of re-enrollees who transferred schools (either within or between districts), concentrated among Black students and students with disabilities. Findings have implications for school funding and student well-being.

Authors

• Beth Schueler, University of Virginia
  Non-Presenting Author

• Luke C. Miller, University of Virginia
  Presenting Author

• Amy L. Reynolds, University of Virginia
  Non-Presenting Author

• Veronica Katz, University of Virginia
  Non-Presenting Author