Widespread school closures last spring caused significant frustration and disruption for students and families. But were they worth it?

A new study coauthored by Brown University’s Emily Rauscher and Ailish Burns examines the relationship between school closure timing and COVID-19 impacts, finding that later closures were associated with higher numbers of cases and deaths in surrounding communities.

Rauscher and Burns join CPRE Knowledge Hub managing editor Keith Heumiller to discuss the study, and some key takeaways for policymakers, districts, school leaders and other stakeholders as schools begin to reopen across the country.

Featured Research: Rauscher, E., & Burns, A. (2021). “Unequal Opportunity Spreaders: Higher COVID-19 Deaths with Later School Closure in the United States.” Sociological Perspectives.