Iowa's public schools lost 6,000 students last school year; the first decline in a decade

[Sherman A1]

The Iowa Department of Education's Annual Condition of Education report presents some data on the state's public schools from the 2020-2021 school year and includes information like demographics of students and academic achievement.

Jay Pennington, a bureau chief with the department, said the report is mandated by the legislature and it allows the department to get a snapshot of the state's public education each year and to measure trends.

Pennington said the report was helpful in seeing the effect on schools a year following the beginning of the pandemic.

"We saw a fairly significant decline in student enrollment overall and then in particular in pre-K and kindergarten programs saw the greatest decline in enrollment," he said.

https://www.iowapublicradio.org/education/2021-12-07/iowas-public-schools-lost-6-000-students-last-school-year-the-first-decline-in-a-decade

[arlyellowdog]

1. Because everyone held their kindergartener back

It’s the same here in Arlington. People are lookin at the loss in enrollment more than they are preparing for the onslaught of 6 and 7 year old kindergartners next year.

[jimfields33]

2. I agree. NYC some families did the same.

Enrollment will hopefully get back to normal in all states September 2022.