The Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Student Learning in South Carolina Rural Schools: An Examination of Inequalities

Abstract

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has obstructed the lives of millions around the world. From mandated school closures to reverting to remote learning, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected education and student learning in the United States and abroad. Despite common effects, inquiry lies in the degree to which COVID-19 impacted and placed even larger adversities on schools and students in rural communities. The purpose of the phenomenological study is to understand how COVID-19 and preexisting inequalities impacted student learning in South Carolina’s rural schools during the 2020–2021 school year. To carefully understand how COVID-19 and preexisting inequalities impacted student learning, the researcher used a qualitative approach and conducted semi-structured interviews with six participants. After using thematic analysis as a method to analyze data, the results showed that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted student learning by exacerbating challenges and inequalities in South Carolina rural schools in the areas of technology, student and parent engagement, and classroom and whole-school management.