More than half of K-8 public schools were open in March for full-time in-person classes

More than half of the nation's K-8 public schools had reopened for full-time in-person learning as of March 2021, the latest statistics from the U.S. Department of Education show.

Data released Thursday from the National Assessment of Education Progress 2021 School Survey found that in March, 54% of public schools that house fourth or eighth grade were open to all students for in-person classes. That is an increase from 49% in February

The survey also found that 88% of public schools with fourth or eighth grade were offering hybrid or full-time in-person learning in March.

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona reacted positively to the latest numbers.

“The data released today reaffirms that we reached President Biden’s goal of reopening the majority of K-8 schools ahead of schedule," Cardona says.

The statistics also indicate that increasing numbers of minority students have access to in=person instruction, the secretary says.

"This success is the result of hard work and intentional collaboration between the administration, states, school districts, educators, and families across the country," Cardona says. "Nothing can replace in-person learning, and thousands of schools have made that a reality for millions of students. But we must maintain a high level of urgency."

The survey is based on data for March gathered from 4,300 schools who responded to the department's questionnaire.

Cardona vowed to continue the push to have all schools reopened and offering full-time in-person classes.

"At the national and local level, we must act with urgency and bring every resource to bear to get more schools reopened full-time this spring and address the inequities that continue to persist in our classrooms and communities," the secretary says.