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Determinants of Ethnic Differences in School Modality Choices during the COVID-19 Crisis

General Information

Title
Determinants of Ethnic Differences in School Modality Choices during the COVID-19 Crisis
Author
Andrew Camp and Gema Zamarro
Publication Type
Working paper
Outlet
Annenberg Brown University
Year
2021
Abstract
A growing body of research and popular reporting shows racial differences in school modality choices during the COVID-19 crisis, with white students more likely to attend school in person. This in-person learning gap raises serious equity concerns. We use unique panel survey data to explore possible explanations. We find that a combination of factors may explain these differences. School districts’ offerings, political partisanship, and local COVID-19 outbreaks are all meaningfully associated with and plausibly explain the in-person learning racial gap. As schools start offering more in-person learning, significant efforts may be necessary to ensure that families and students attend those in-person learning opportunities.