Inthe previous 12 years that Deloitte has covered the back-to-school season, nothinghas caused disruption to families, schools, and retailerslike COVID-19.

This spring, the forced closure of thousands of schools, impacting 53M students in K-12 grades, turned parentsintoeducators and facilitators of remote learning overnight. Many had to purchase schoolsupplies, furniture, or technologyto support the new reality of home schooling.Only one-half ofparents were satisfied with the education provided, and many were concerned their students aren’t prepared for the next grade.