With news that reading and math test scores saw record drops in the United States during the pandemic, there is fear that this could hurt Democrats. Some are skeptical that closures were a leading cause.
Not only does this argument try to deny every parent’s real-world experience, but it also cuts against the evidence. For instance, Catholic schools outperformed public schools:
‘CATASTROPHIC PERFORMANCE’: YOUNGKIN PLEDGES CHANGES AFTER VIRGINIA MATH AND READING NAEP SCORES PLUMMET

Before continuing, we should recall the vitriol with which public officials and commentators attacked Catholic schools that fought to stay open. My former county health czar, Travis Gayles, tried to close all Catholic, Jewish, and other nonpublic schools in Montgomery County, Maryland, and when parents and schools pushed back, he personally attacked them.