Gov. Inslee says distance learning strongly recommended, but not mandated, for schools
Gov. Jay Inslee said Wednesday that distance learning is strongly recommended for schools in high-risk counties in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
There were 25 counties in that category as of Tuesday, meaning they had more than 75 cases per 100,000 people over two weeks. Pierce, Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties were among them.
“Schools in these counties are strongly recommended to use distance learning with the option for limited in-person instruction in smaller groups with students with the highest needs, such as students with disabilities,” the governor said at a virtual press conference, joined by Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.
Canceling or postponing in-person extracurricular activities in high-risk counties is also recommended, the governor said.
The state Department of Health and Superintendent of Public Instruction came up with the recommendations: “to help local health departments and local school districts decide how or whether to have on-site education in the classroom this fall,” Inslee said.
The guidance offers advice to districts and local health departments — but doesn’t mandate school closures or other measures — based on local levels of community coronavirus transmission.
Thurston and Whatcom counties are among the nine counties in a moderate-risk category, meaning 25 to 75 cases per 100,000 people.
Inslee said the recommendation for moderate-risk counties is to consider distance learning for most middle schoolers and high schoolers, and possibly in-person learning for elementary school students and students with special needs.
“We’d also recommend districts in these areas to cancel in-person extracurricular activities, and consider low-risk activities when more students have returned to the classroom,” he said.
The recommendation for low-risk counties, with less than 25 cases per 100,000 people, is for in-person learning at elementary schools and a hybrid approach of in-person and distance learning at middle schools and high schools. There are five counties in that category.
“No matter the current rate of transmission in a given county, both school leaders and local public health leaders need to be prepared to monitor for and respond to suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19,” Inslee said.
The governor said the rate of transmission of the virus is still too high in Washington,
“Our health experts are appropriately concerned about this,” Inslee said. “So am I, and I think anyone would be who has seen what has happened in other states as this virus has exploded.”
The governor reiterated that limiting social gatherings and wearing masks is important on a community level in order for in-person learning to resume.
“If every school district brought all of their students back for in-person instruction today, I believe we would see a real meaningful and dangerous increase in COVID activity,” he said.
Inslee talked about other states and countries that have gone back to in-person learning.
“Recent school openings in Mississippi and Georgia have already seen disruption because of COVID outbreaks that immediately took off as soon as they returned to school,” Inslee said.
He noted that the Washington State Department of Health already issued requirements in June for the reopening of schools, such as about physical distancing, hygiene and cleaning.
“We’ve made additional recommendations today, but those requirements still need to be met in any school,” the governor said.
Asked about a similar set of recommendations for colleges and universities, Inslee said: “We haven’t proposed one to date, and I think they’re making pretty good decisions.”
Asked about private schools, Inslee said he hopes they follow the recommendations, and that they have to follow the requirements already set forth.
“They are strong recommendations and they are based on science,” the governor said. “They are based on the health of our children, and they are based on the shared experience that we are not going to allow our state to be hammered by this virus as other states and countries have been.”
Inslee also said the state is providing $8.8 million to help low-income families with Internet and other technology, and that the state is also spending millions for additional training for educators about remote learning.
Reykdal said the $8.8 million should help connect tens of thousands of free and reduced price lunch families. That’s one-time CARES Act money that he said “folks should not rely on” long-term, but that will connect families for a year.
He said a separate $2.5 million for educator training: “will specifically focus on limited platforms that create consistency within a school district.”
As for remote learning in the fall, he said: “We will be taking attendance regularly. Grading practices are coming back. We are assessing student learning.”
He noted that many school districts have already decided to start the school year remotely, and want a framework for when to come back.
Asked about the recommendations Wednesday, Washington Education Association President Larry Delaney said in a statement: “When it comes to how to operate schools, the COVID-19 pandemic leaves us with options that none of us would otherwise choose, making this type of guidance ever-more important as we continue to navigate this health crisis. We look to school districts to carefully consider these criteria and benchmarks in decision-making about how schools will operate, whether they are still deciding about this fall, or for use regarding re-opening strategies later in the year.”
His statement went on to say: “As the new school year approaches, educators remain committed to doing the best they can for students regardless of the model.”
This story was originally published August 5, 2020 at 3:13 PM with the headline "Gov. Inslee says distance learning strongly recommended, but not mandated, for schools."
