Female students have given several reasons for not taking STEM classes, including when a certain course is predominantly male. They are also worried about hazing or appearing less intelligent, career counselors say.

Combined enrollment in Ohio's traditional district and charter schools fell by about 30,000 students last year out of more than 1.7 million students in Ohio's public schools.

Violent and aggressive acts by students and parents against teachers and administrators surged even while many schools were on remote instruction.

On the eve of COVID, high school students were making progress in two high-priority areas: they were earning more credits and taking more rigorous STEM courses.