D.C. sees double-digit drop in student literacy progress following months of remote learning

Students in Washington, D.C. public schools have experienced a marked drop in literacy progress following months of mandated remote learning, the city revealed this week.

The drop in proficiency was most pronounced among black students in kindergarten through second grade, who suffered a benchmark regression of over 30%. White and Latino students from those age brackets saw drops of 6% and 12%, respectively, according to the Washington Post.

The D.C. public school system "believes these results this year are indicative of the extended time away from the classroom since March," school officials said in a statement.

Currently, the city plans to bring a small number of students back starting early next month.