Data obtained by @Chalkbeat and the @AP shows public school enrollment has dropped by more than 2% across 33 states this year — a decline of more than 500,000 students.

Educators fear some of these children may not be in school at all. https://ckbe.at/3nDd8L4 

The data offers the clearest picture yet of the pandemic’s devastating toll on public school enrollment — a decline that could eventually have dire consequences for school budgets that are based on headcounts. #EdChat #k12 #EduTwitter

The Chalkbeat/AP analysis shows that a drop in kindergarten enrollment accounts for 30% of the total reduction across the 33 states — making it one of the biggest drivers of the nationwide decline. #ECE #EarlyChildhood #COVID19

It’s difficult to say how much of the enrollment drop is due to students leaving public schools for private schools and home schooling because not all states track that. And in states that do, those are contributing factors but don’t account for the full decline. #education

Many states haven’t been able to track down all the students who left. Some may be getting home-schooled. Some may have moved. Others may be experiencing homelessness.

Here's what we know. https://www.chalkbeat.org/2020/12/22/22193775/states-public-school-enrollment-decline-covid