Thousands of centers permanently shut down since COVID hit. The ones that remain are struggling to pay their workers livable wages.
Author: Alia Wong, USA TODAY
Banned books
Numbers increase
Conservatives are removing ‘pornographic’ books from schools. Many feature LGBTQ+ characters.
Conservative politicians and activists have successfully removed more than 1,000 unique book titles from schools, often arguing they’re too obscene.
Congress let COVID-era relief expire. Millions of kids already have fallen into poverty.
Pandemic policies like expanded tax credits and universal free school lunches have or will come to an end. The toll on kids has been immediate.
Omicron closing day care centers in droves as parents are ‘just trying to stay afloat’
Day care closures hit their highest rate since June as omicron spread, vaccine was delayed for young kids and coronavirus tests dwindled.
‘An incredibly important tool’: Omicron could mean more COVID-19 testing for day care centers
Regular coronavirus testing is a helpful strategy for keeping child care centers open and safe. Why don’t more providers do it?
The pandemic put school dress codes into perspective: ‘We want control of our lives’
After months of pandemic learning, 2021 brought renewed scrutiny of the sexism in dress codes as students readjusted to in-person school.
Back-to-school gun violence was highest on record. Active shooter drills may not be the answer.
So far in fall 2021, schools have had nearly twice as many shootings as before the pandemic. But active shooter drills may heighten the trauma.
Finding day care was already a ‘confusing and frustrating maze.’ Coronavirus made it worse.
Parents say the process of finding and signing up for child care, or the financial aid they need to afford it, has become more overwhelming than ever.
‘A decision no parent should ever have to make’: Families are suing over mask mandate bans
By banning mask mandates, parents of students with disabilities say states are forcing them to choose between their kids’ health and their education.