What’s happening to America’s public school students? 

The drop in enrollment, plus chronic absenteeism, should be cause for great concern, or at least curiosity among parents, teachers, administrators, psychologists and many others across our nation.

The reasons for what’s going on are complicated — and critical to understand. 

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First, there’s the COVID piece of it. American public schools lost more than a million students from the fall of 2019 to the fall of 2020, with enrollment falling from 50.8 million to 49.4 million students in that period, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

It’s important to note that this occurred more frequently in high-poverty areas and urban centers across America during COVID. So the kids who could least afford to lose time in school lost the most, unfortunately.

But beyond that first year, there were substantial declines in public school enrollment during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years, a recent study from the Brookings Institute indicated. 

All told, between the school years of 2018-19 and 2021-22, about 12% percent of public elementary schools and 9% of middle schools experienced such a decline.

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“This is a significant change from before the pandemic, when about 5% of middle and elementary schools saw a 20% decline between 2015-2016 and 2018-2019,” the Brookings study found.

So we saw a decline before COVID, of about 5% or 6%. Then we saw this big decline afterward.

Think of it. Kids were out of school before COVID — and they continued to be out of school after COVID. 

There were declines before COVID, a radical decline during COVID — and now, after COVID, a continuing decline. 

This next data point is nothing less than striking.

The proportion of students attending schools that had high or extreme rates of chronic absenteeism more than doubled — from 26% during the 2017-2018 school year to 66% during the 2021-2022 school year, according to a recent report. The analysis of federal data was conducted by the Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University and Attendance Works. 

So we saw low attendance during 2017-2018 — well before COVID — and then much lower attendance after COVID, in 2021-2022.

Many kids in public schools were out of school before COVID — and many have continued to be out of school after COVID.  (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, File)

Of these numbers, people will say, “Oh, but that was a holdover from COVID in 2021-2022.”

Yet in 2022-2023, we didn’t recover. 

Habits were formed, in other words.

The pattern is revealing itself: There were declines before COVID, a radical decline during COVID — and now, after COVID, a continuing decline. 

On top of this, preliminary data show little improvement in the most recent school year. 

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The 11 states that have reported attendance data from the 2022-23 school year had a combined chronic absenteeism rate of 27.8%, down from 30% the previous year, according to the same source.

That’s a little better. But still — look at those numbers.

In the 2017-18 school year, 26% of students were enrolled in a school from which at least a fifth of the students were chronically absent. In 2021-22, that number jumped to 66% of students.

So absenteeism occurs long before COVID and is still significant today. 

Homeschooling 

Let’s look at homeschooling now because it’s important to do so.

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The number of homeschooled kids is increasing dramatically — we don’t know by exactly how much, according to a Washington Post analysis. 

Homeschooling’s “surging popularity crosses every measurable line of politics, geography and demographics,” according to a recent analysis.  (iStock)

Homeschooling’s “surging popularity crosses every measurable line of politics, geography and demographics. The number of homeschooled kids has increased 373% over the past six years in the small city of Anderson, South Carolina; it also increased 358% in a school district in the Bronx.”

That is huge. 

Charter schools

Charter schools are public schools funded with public money — but students have left the traditional public schools in order to attend charters. 

So what’s going on?

Between the fall of 2010 and the fall of 2021, public charter school enrollment more than doubled. 

Between the fall of 2010 and the fall of 2021, public charter school enrollment more than doubled, from 1.8 million to 3.7 million students — for an overall increase of 1.9 million students, according to the NCES.

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By contrast, the number of students attending traditional public schools decreased by 4%, or 2.0 million students, over the same period (from 47.4 million to 45.4 million students), the same source said.

Private schools

A little more than 4.73 million K-12 students were enrolled in private schools during the 2021-22 school year. 

That year was the second full one after the pandemic hit — and the first year when the vast majority of students attended school in person.

“Why are students leaving traditional public schools in the U.S.? We don’t have very good numbers on that. There’s also more to the story.” (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)

That number represents a slight bump from the 4.65 million students who attended private school in the 2019-20 school year, NCES said. 

What do we draw from this? 

There were some increases in the flow from the traditional public schools to the charters; some increases, relatively small, to the private schools — but a big increase in homeschooling.

Still, overall, why are students leaving traditional public schools? We don’t have very good numbers on that. 

There’s also more to the story. 

‘Scared of going out’

Aside from the numbers, both known and unknown, of enrollments, many American public school students are not showing up for class on a regular basis. 

My wife, Elayne Glover Bennett, is present in the D.C. schools on a regular basis as director of the Best Friends Foundation (she’s also co-author of “The Book of Virtues” with me). She has talked to hundreds of students, teachers and parents in recent weeks and months about what’s going on with America’s schools. 

Many American public school students are not showing up for class on a regular basis, writes Bill Bennett, author of “The Book of Virtues: 30th Anniversary Edition” along with his wife, Elayne Glover Bennett. He is a Fox News contributor.  (iStock/Bill Bennett)

Why are so many students missing from class? She reports the following. 

A lot of young people are scared of going out and getting shot — for things like sneakers.

They’re also scared of bullying.

Kids very much need to be part of something in which they feel they are valued members.

In addition, they feel that there’s no point in going to school — that they won’t be missed if they’re not there.

On top of this, a lot of parents have checked out due to the demands they’re feeling, whether it’s because of single parenthood, jobs and work schedules, the challenges of life, and/or drug use.

Some have just surrendered in today’s brave new world. Thrown up their hands.

Many of their kids are missing school because they are not part of anything at their schools that sparks their engagement, their interest and their motivation.

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Kids — and we saw this during COVID — very much need to be part of something in which they feel they are valued members.

The glee club, the band, the football team — they need something that gives them a reason to go to school. 

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They also need someone there who is glad to see them and to indicate to them that they matter.

What does all of this mean for the children who need education the most today and who are increasingly missing from school? 

What does it matter to them and to us that they’re not there? 

A great deal for the future, I am afraid — again, for them and for us.

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People with curly hair, straight hair, thick hair, thin hair and any type of hair in between require the right tools to look their best. 

That means choosing the right hairbrush. 

You may spend hours researching the right kind of razor, cologne or makeup, yet reach for that same old hairbrush without a second thought. There is such variation in available hairbrushes, and even more diversity in hair types, that it can be hard to know which brush is best.

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When choosing a hair tool for any desired outcome, it is important to consider what type of hair you have, what type of hairbrush is best suited to the task and what type of bristles are best for achieving a given effect.

Here’s a deep dive.

Types of hairbrushes

Paddle brush

Paddle brushes are the go-to for people with a lot of hair, and they are very effective for straight hair in particular. Their flat, broad surface and widely spaced bristles deliver sleek results that will not break the hair’s natural curl or wave pattern, so they are suitable for most types of hair. 

They are able to smooth large sections of hair quickly and are especially useful when blow-drying or detangling hair before straightening. People with thicker hair will want to choose a brush with sturdier bristles, likely made of nylon, which are flexible and can stand up to tangled, textured hair.

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Cushion brushes are a variation of paddle brushes that have bristles embedded in a soft, elastic cushion. This offers some give while brushing and is particularly useful for knotted hair, while firmer bristles might be better for styling. 

Cushion brushes are a good choice when a gentle touch is needed, as with fine hair.

Vented brushes are another form of paddle brush, though these come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Vented paddle brushes have holes, or vents, which make blow-drying wet hair faster as the hot hair flows through the vents, reaching deeper layers of hair as you brush.

Round brush

The round brush has a cylindrical base with bristles protruding from all sides. This is used as a styling brush. They are often used in combination with a blow-dryer for their ability to create voluminous curls or waves when held vertically. 

They can also leave hair looking straight when wielded horizontally.

Round hairbrushes are a styling staple. (Kyle Ericksen/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)

Smaller brushes tend to create a curlier look, while larger brushes make for a wavier look. Round brushes usually have densely packed bristles, creating a lot of grip and control over your hair, but you can find a round brush with any type of bristle on the market. For short hair, a small round brush is the most convenient.

Thermal brushes are a type of round brush that has a barrel made out of material that conducts heat, which makes blow-drying and curling faster and easier. But fine hair-owners, beware: Thinner hair is more susceptible to heat damage, so a thermal brush will better serve thicker locks.

Paddle brushes also come in thermal varieties.

Wide-toothed comb

Curly hair may be more prone to getting tangled. Taking care of curly or coily hair requires gentle finesse and tools that will not snag or pull. Enter the wide-toothed comb.

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Wide-toothed combs are best for thick hair, especially if brushing while wet, when hair is more vulnerable to breakage. Wide-toothed combs are gentle and will not tug. They are great for getting tangles out and distributing products down the length of your hair. 

A wide-toothed comb is a popular tool for those with curly or wavy hair who prefer brushing it while it is wet, even though some professionals recommend against it. 

Hair pick

A hair pick is a highly useful tool for coily or very curly hair. A gentle tug from a pick comb will lift curls away from the scalp to add volume. Separating and lifting curls at the root is a sure way to add some fluff and dimension to your hairstyle. A plastic pick is a lot gentler on curly locks, so they are better for detangling or styling loose curls than a metal pick. 

Metal varieties can be useful for thicker hair and tighter curl patterns, as long as you are careful not to scratch up your scalp.

Detangling brush

The name says it all. Detangling hairbrushes minimize breakage when brushing knotty hair. The key is their flexible bristles, which can glide through knots instead of tearing them apart.

Detangling brushes are another safe choice when brushing hair when it is wet and at its most delicate, as the brushes are designed to be gentle.

Thick or thin, straight or coily, any hair type can be tamed with the right detangling brush. For people with long, thick and curly hair, however, a detangling brush is practically a necessity.

Using a hairbrush specifically designed for detangling will make any hair routine painless. (Karol Serewis/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Teasing brush

Teasing brushes are made to add volume to fine or limp hair. They are small brushes customarily used at the crown of the head to lift roots and create a fuller look. The small brush often comes with a pointed handle that can be used to easily section out hair.

Teasing brushes are often used to “backcomb,” or comb hair backwards, from the end to the root, to add volume. But the process can be a bit rough on your hair, so proceed with caution, especially if you have finer, more delicate hair. 

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Their small size and dense bristles also make them great for targeting flyaways.

Rat tail comb

Rat tail combs are similar to teasing brushes. They come with long, thin handles that make it easy to precisely separate your hair into sections or work out small knots. They can also be used as a more gentle alternative to the teasing brush for backcombing, though the teasing brush’s bristles may create more volume.

Types of hairbrush bristles

Looped bristles

A loop brush can work for any type of hair, but is crucial for anyone with hair extensions. The looped bristles will slide over wefts without accidentally snagging and risking pulling them out, all while gently untangling hair like any good hairbrush should.

Boar bristles

Soft boar bristle brushes are great for fine hair. The main draw of this brush is its fine, tightly clustered bristles’ ability to distribute natural hair oils down the strand. These naturally occurring oils are critical to healthy, shiny hair. 

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Because people with curly hair can be more prone to a buildup of oil on the scalp, a boar bristle brush can be a good choice to carry moisture to your hair’s drier ends while lifting away unwanted debris.

Boar bristles come from real boars, but synthetic substitutes are available and will deliver similar results. (Raudies/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Despite how they might look, boar bristle brushes are designed to glide evenly through the hair. They are useful after heat styling to keep your hair healthy and moisturized, shape curls and avoid breakage.

Nylon bristles

For hair that proves too thick for the soft, highly flexible boar bristles, synthetic nylon bristles are more effective. 

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The material also reduces static, which means your hair will be less likely to frizz up. Their tougher build gives you more control when styling.

Mixed bristles

If you want the detangling benefits of nylon bristles with the oil-distributing properties of boar bristles, look no further than a mixed bristle brush, which contains both nylon and boar bristles.

This type of brush is good for hair of medium thickness that can benefit from the shine left behind by boar bristles and the strength of nylon bristles.

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