Chris Reykdal, the state's superintendent of public instruction, and a work group of over 120 educators, parents, students and community organizations released a 47-page document with new guidance that shows what face-to-face instruction could look like. He said the decision to reopen came out of new scientific research the virus in children and the effectiveness of masks in preventing the virus's spread.
How and whether schools reopen depends, at least in part, on what phase their county is in as part of Gov. Jay Inslee's reopening plan, The Seattle Times reported. But education officials said schools should plan to resume class in-person.
"Today we are setting a path for moving forward with school activities in the summer and school reopening in the fall," Inslee who on Thursday issued a proclamation about schools possibly reopening, adding that his office has been working with Reykdal and stakeholders across the state to ensure the health of all students and educators.
"We all want students back in educational settings, but we must continue to monitor health data carefully, and proceed with caution," he said. "We cannot guarantee that school will open in fall."
The move to reopen is raising health and safety concerns among the Washington Education Association teacher's union, and some members of education advocacy groups worry the plans were made hastily and without the input of families.
Union President Larry Delaney said in a statement that union concerns include how to ensure social distancing and that children wear masks.
The guidance leaves most decisions up to school districts. Districts that can't open right away, or bring all students back because of public health concerns, are encouraged to use a combination of distance learning and staggered scheduling.
The education department is asking districts to make contingency plans that would allow them to move quickly from in-person instruction to remote learning should cases of the virus surge. Districts should add days to their school calendar in case of emergency short-term building closures, officials said as an example.
Districts should also make plans to conduct learning remotely if schools are forced to close again for an extended period, officials wrote.
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