Long COVID is affecting more children than most schools realize—and many students are being left behind. If a student is struggling with fatigue, brain fog, or other symptoms weeks or months after a COVID-19 infection, they may have Long COVID. These students have a legal right to appropriate support and accommodations at school.
This brief outlines key actions schools can take to meet their responsibility to students with Long COVID and ensure equitable access to education.
What Is Long COVID?
Long COVID describes lasting effects from COVID-19 infection. It refers to ongoing, relapsing, or new symptoms—or other health problems—that continue for at least three months after the initial illness.
In children:
- Some symptoms never fully go away.
- Some children feel better at first, then develop new symptoms later.
- Long COVID can affect any child, even those who had mild or no symptoms during their infection.
For more information about symptoms, visit the Pediatric Long COVID page on the Long Covid Families website.
Impact on Students
Long COVID can interfere with a child’s ability to attend school, keep up with academic expectations, and participate fully in daily routines. Common impacts include:
- Fatigue and brain fog that limit focus, memory, and task completion
- Headaches, dizziness, or shortness of breath that make movement around the school and physical activity difficult
- Frequent absences due to symptom flare-ups and recovery needs
- Anxiety, mood changes, and mental health challenges related to chronic illness and the stress of falling behind
Without intervention, these challenges can disrupt learning, increase dropout risk, and lead to long-term educational harm.
For guidance on school accommodations and modifications, visit the Long Covid Families Schools page.
Why It Matters
Up to 1 in 5 children may develop Long COVID after infection, and an estimated 6 million children in the U.S. are currently living with Long COVID. These numbers highlight the urgency of preparing schools to respond. Educators, school nurses, counselors, and administrators need the knowledge and tools to support affected students—many of whom are going unrecognized.
Policy Recommendations
- Formal Guidelines
- Evaluate students with Long COVID for Section 504 or IDEA eligibility
- Offer flexible attendance options, including partial days, remote access, and recovery time
- Provide academic adjustments like extended deadlines and reduced workloads
- Staff Training
- Provide training on pediatric Long COVID and its impact on learning
- Equip school nurses to monitor symptoms and make appropriate referrals
- Help teachers adapt instruction for students with fatigue or brain fog
- Supportive Environments
- Designate quiet rest areas for students during the school day
- Offer mental health services and peer support options
- Modify PE to reflect students’ energy and physical limits
- Family Communication
- Create clear collaboration protocols between families, providers, and schools
- Inform parents about education rights under Section 504, IDEA, and ADA
- Assign a liaison to help families navigate school supports
- Track and Improve
- Monitor attendance, academic progress, and service use
- Adjust school policies based on new research
- Include student input when reviewing support strategies
Conclusion
Long COVID is a serious and often invisible barrier to learning. With millions of children potentially affected, schools must act now. By updating policies, training staff, and building strong support systems, districts can ensure that every student has access to the education they deserve.
For more information on pediatric Long COVID, www.longcovidfamilies.org
