Remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant academic damage to children, with some districts experiencing learning losses of more than half a grade level in math. Public schools were partially to blame for this, as they forced all students to learn remotely, regardless of their individual needs. Families with the means opted for private schools, which mostly remained open and experienced less learning loss. The pandemic has also led to an increase in school choice programs in over 20 states, allowing more families to access in-person instruction.