You write this like you’re a teacher but say things that make no sense.

1 - If the kids are graduating with middle school level abilities that’s not anything to do with COVID. I have a senior graduating this year, they were not out for 3 years, and they didn’t stop learning for the year they were out of school. I especially call BS on the assertion of ‘mostly.’ FWIW my kid got a 1430 on her SAT and has a 100 in AP Calc.

2 - The kids are tested, under state and federal law, to ascertain their progress, and then are placed in classes according to their ability. Common core and all of that…having to teach to the tests is what teachers used to complain about. The article is largely about the results of this standardized testing FFS. The article is entirely about lower grades, not HS, and there are quotes explain8ng what teachers and admins are doing.

Kids don’t live on their owns and they are excellent little plague bearers. Also, teachers, admins, etc, are older and many at risk. You sound like you’re pushing a political agenda baseless in facts and reality. We didn’t know anything in the beginning, and we didn’t have a vax until 19 months in, at the end of 2021.