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A recent study says the impact of the pandemic on the state’s future workforce could be significant, although Hawaii is expected to fare better than much of the nation.
“Hawaii students who attended school during the Covid-19 pandemic could see an almost 4% reduction in lifetime earnings unless schools are able to help them catch up academically, according to a Stanford University study.
Researchers estimate that Hawaii could face approximately $31 billion in economic losses during the 21st century because because of classroom setbacks over the last four years. The drops in academic achievement could add up to $31 trillion in lost earnings for the United States as a whole.
David Sun-Miyashiro, founding executive director of HawaiiKidsCAN, said students attending remote classes during the pandemic may have failed to develop fundamental skills in subjects like reading and math. In turn, he said, workers may struggle with obtaining college degrees or getting higher paying jobs.
“It’s extremely tragic,” he said.
The study’s author, Eric Hanushek, will present his findings to the Board of Education on Thursday.”
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