A report from the state raises questions over the effectiveness of online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic and the educational challenges that lie ahead for students and teachers.

About 11.3% of the Texas student population either failed to complete assignments or didn't respond to teacher outreach for some period of time last spring after school closed due to COVID-19, according to report by the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Tribune reported.

When schools closed in April, many students didn’t have internet access and older students had to work to help support their families during the economic slump, the report said.

Economically disadvantaged and minority students were more likely to be less engaged with online learning, the report said. At 15.5%, economically disadvantaged students were three times as likely to be disengaged compared to wealthier students, who had a 5% disengagement percentage, the study found.

It found 16.9% of Black public school students and 13.3% of Hispanic students were not fully engaged with schoolwork or teachers, the story said. That compared to 6.4% of white students. Most Texas public school students are Hispanic and low-income, the Tribune said.

Younger students, such as those in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, were less likely than older ones to complete assignments or stay in touch with teachers, the report said.

The numbers could spell trouble for educators, the story said.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath has talked about the "COVID slide," as a result of the pandemic’s disruption of schools.

Another looming problem for students is the resumption of evictions, the Tribune said. There could be more families living in hotels, unable to pay deposits for elsewhere for a place to live.

The state wants to make sure school districts keep tabs on students who did not complete any assignments all while schools were closed and to schedule home visits to make sure they are safe.