Abstract:

Inequalities in American education have been a long standing issue. Today, they are being further exacerbated by the use of online learning, and the sudden shift to nearly nationwide online learning due to COVID-19.

This paper aims to analyze the history of inequalities in American education and apply them to modern online education, and determine the occurring and future consequences of these inequalities. It also aims to determine the consequences of the shift to online learning due to COVID-19. In analyzing both recent articles as the COVID situation is unfolding and historical inequalities such as racial disparities, rural vs. urban disparities, and differences in socioeconomic status, it has been made clear that while online education has a number of beneficial properties, these significant disparities in education are creating a widening achievement gap that is having a negative impact on students, as well as US GDP growth.