State Agencies Directed to Put More Oregon Schools on Track to Return to In-Person Instruction

In order to return as many Oregon students to the classroom as safely as possible in the new year, Governor Kate Brown has directed the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority to implement several new policy initiatives, with the goal of putting more school districts on track to return students to in-person instruction, especially elementary students, by February 15, 2021. 

The Governor noted in a letter to the agencies that state and federal resources dedicated to school reopening put this goal within reach for school districts, if communities continue to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19 over the next several weeks. About $109 million in CARES Act funds were distributed to public schools in 2020. $28 million is dedicated for technology and internet assistance for students and schools. Both the Legislature and Congress have dedicated new resources for safe school reopenings in 2021, including an additional $50 million approved during Monday’s special session to support schools in the transition to in-person instruction. In addition, the Legislature also passed legislation during the special session providing reasonable liability protections for public and private schools during the remainder of the COVID-19 emergency.

Public reminded to stay vigilant

“As 2021 approaches and we look to the remaining school year just over the horizon, it is clear that the greatest gift we can give to Oregon’s children this holiday season is to redouble our efforts to act responsibly and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

"Our students’ learning, resilience, and future well-being depend on all of us,” said Governor Brown. 

“Each and every Oregonian must do our part now to be disciplined and vigilant, to socially distance, wear facial coverings, avoid large gatherings, and follow other necessary public health requirements. The alternative is for Oregonians to remain at risk from the disease for far longer, and for perhaps 90% of Oregon’s students to continue on the unpromising path of spending the remainder of their school year locked out by this virus from their classrooms and youth activities where they best learn, grow, and find connection, safety, and support.” 

With educators and school staff to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations, the Governor also directed ODE and OHA to work with schools to provide on-site, rapid testing as a safeguard to quickly address symptomatic individuals and those with potential exposure to COVID-19. 

In-person learning decisions to be made locally

In addition, Oregon’s school metrics, the measures of local community spread of COVID-19 that guide when it is appropriate to open schools for in person instruction, will be advisory rather than mandatory, effective January 1. Moving forward, decisions to resume in-person instruction must be made locally, district by district, school by school. 

Many states, including Washington, have advisory metrics. The Governor added: “As our neighbors to the north have demonstrated, this does not mean schools can resume in-person instruction without regard for COVID-19 spread in the community, but instead should carefully consider the metrics in their local context, the needs of students and families, and readiness to implement health and safety protocols.”