Special Report
How Schools Are Reopening in Each State
Published:
Schools across the country have begun to reopen, and the traditional school day has been overhauled. Social distancing, temperature checks at the door, mask wearing, and one-way hallways are now the new norm.
State health departments have released different sets of guidelines for safely reopening schools. These guidelines are not a mandate, and the final decisions on how to reopen their schools lie within each school district.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed executive orders, directives, and guidelines issued by either governors or education and health departments to create a list of restrictions and safety recommendations for resuming in-person instruction in every state.
The novel coronavirus can spread within enclosed halls and classrooms. However, some education officials have argued that online learning alone can disrupt a child’s educational and social development. To both minimize potential spread and reliance on virtual learning alone, districts are implementing a variety of plans to bring back students and teachers into schools.
Still, preventing transmission among students may be difficult to achieve, despite the many precautions schools would take. Some schools in the South and Midwest have had to close just days after reopening for in-person instruction after both staff and students tested positive for COVID-19.
In some states, the school year is delayed because teachers do not feel safe to return. In Arizona, more than 100 teachers and other staff members called in sick. Across the country, in Florida, the state’s largest teachers union sued the state over the governor’s order to resume in-person instruction. The order was ruled unconstitutional, and school districts will each decide how to open and operate going forward.
Many of the requirements and suggestions for opening schools depend on whether communities have been able to contain the spread of the coronavirus locally. Most states’ guidelines were released at the beginning or in the middle of June, before a resurgence of COVID-19 infections was reported across the country in June and July — here are the states where the virus is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
Click here for each state’s reopening plan for schools.
Alabama
> Reopening plan: Hybrid model, 2 days a week in-person instruction, alternating AM and PM schedule
> Daily routine changes: Reinforce hand-washing, limit use of classroom materials. Travel between buildings should be stopped or minimized.
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for nurses and school visitors
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Reduce class sizes, limit entries and exits to school, use gyms as classrooms, desks facing the same direction, set up rooms, hallways and lunch areas so students can be 6 feet apart
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 2,270 per 100,000 people — 6th highest (total: 110,954)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 5.9% — 23rd smallest (from 104,595 to 110,769)
> Population: 4.9 million
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Alaska
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread, elementary school in-person, middle and high school distance learning
> Daily routine changes: Extended dismissal times, scheduled arrival times
> Mask or face covering rules: Encouraged whenever possible
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature and symptom screening for all
> Classroom space organization: Based on community spread, same groups every day, reduce mixing of students, space desks 6 feet apart
> Extracurricular activities status: Based on community spread
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 768 per 100,000 people — 9th lowest (total: 5,666)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 10.1% — 7th largest (from 5,110 to 5,628)
> Population: 737,000
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Arizona
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Assigned seating, designated arrival times or locations, lunch in classrooms
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Reduce class sizes, reorganize classrooms to allow 6 feet between students, install physical barriers
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 2,779 per 100,000 people — 3rd highest (total: 199,273)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 2.3% — 7th smallest (from 194,005 to 198,414)
> Population: 7.2 million
Arkansas
> Reopening plan: Must provide in-person instructions as option 5 days a week
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classrooms, no gatherings in hallways and cafeterias, rotating teachers, not students
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for children 10+ on buses, drivers, required for adults and students 10+ in school buildings
> Health screening precautions: Have screening stations, screening signs
> Classroom space organization: Repurpose unused spaces, modify existing spaces to allow for maximum distancing of students and staff
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,888 per 100,000 people — 14th highest (total: 56,894)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 8.0% — 13th largest (from 52,665 to 56,894)
> Population: 3.0 million
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California
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread, alternate distance learning with in-person instruction
> Daily routine changes: Stagger cafeteria use, lunch in classrooms or outdoors, limit gatherings
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for adults and Grade 3 and up
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks, hand-washing required before entering school
> Classroom space organization: Reduce class sizes, keep students in same rooms, have portable hand-washing stations
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, social distancing required, should take place outside
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,702 per 100,000 people — 20th highest (total: 673,095)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 16 – Aug. 23: 6.8% — 24th largest (from 621,562 to 663,669)
> Population: 39.6 million
Colorado
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, maximize in-person learning
> Daily routine changes: Frequent hand-washing, staggered arrival and dismissal times, assigned seating, limit capacity on buses
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for students 11+, required for staff and if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: At-home or on-site symptom screening, temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in same groups every day if social distancing is difficult, one-way hallways, install physical barriers
> Extracurricular activities status: Vary by reopening phase
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 980 per 100,000 people — 11th lowest (total: 55,800)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 3.7% — 11th smallest (from 53,370 to 55,341)
> Population: 5.7 million
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Connecticut
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, prepare for full reopening and hybrid model
> Daily routine changes: Less free movement through school facilities, assigned seating, frequent hand-washing
> Mask or face covering rules: Masks required for all when inside school
> Health screening precautions: Maximize social distancing, students bring their own water
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in same groups every day Grades K-8, use gyms and auditoriums for classrooms
> Extracurricular activities status: Allow completely independent activities, such as yoga
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,457 per 100,000 people — 25th highest (total: 52,040)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 1.5% — 3rd smallest (from 51,267 to 52,011)
> Population: 3.6 million
Delaware
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Direct flow of people in common areas, do activities that allow for social distancing, minimize mixing of classes, stay with same group for no more than 15 minutes
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff and grades 4-12, recommended for Pre-K – 3 grade
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks at home, the state will provide testing for staff and students
> Classroom space organization: Individual desks, minimize table seating, use outdoor space for classrooms, desks facing the same direction
> Extracurricular activities status: Canceling recommended, off-site trips discontinued
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,754 per 100,000 people — 17th highest (total: 16,962)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 2.2% — 6th smallest (from 16,536 to 16,895)
> Population: 967,000
Florida
> Reopening plan: In-person instruction, unless barred by local directives
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classrooms or outdoors, no sharing of supplies
> Mask or face covering rules: Up to each school
> Health screening precautions: Set up secondary clinic for kids showing symptoms
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in same groups every day, convert cafeterias, libraries, gyms, auditoriums, and outdoor areas into classrooms
> Extracurricular activities status: Pursue virtual activities
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 2,843 per 100,000 people — 2nd highest (total: 605,502)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 4.6% — 16th smallest (from 576,094 to 602,829)
> Population: 21.3 million
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Georgia
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Walking zones for in-person drop-off, schedule arrival times, schedule many outdoor activities, frequent hand-washing
> Mask or face covering rules: Personal choice
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for all
> Classroom space organization: Close every other row of seats, use separate partitions in open spaces, use markings on floors or walls
> Extracurricular activities status: Cancel sports in which students may be in close contact
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 2,456 per 100,000 people — 5th highest (total: 258,354)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 7.3% — 19th largest (from 238,861 to 256,253)
> Population: 10.5 million
Hawaii
> Reopening plan: Distance learning for at least first few weeks
> Daily routine changes: Same groups every day, organize more virtual activities, lunch in classroom, stagger arrival and dismissal protocols
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings
> Classroom space organization: Install physical barriers, maintain social distancing, desks at least 3 feet apart
> Extracurricular activities status: Canceling recommended
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 477 per 100,000 people — 3rd lowest (total: 6,769)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 30.9% — the largest (from 5,042 to 6,600)
> Population: 1.4 million
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Idaho
> Reopening plan: Hybrid model, based on community spread
> Daily routine changes: Limit physical interaction through group work, designate arrival points
> Mask or face covering rules: Required by some districts
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks for all
> Classroom space organization: Use large common areas for classrooms, remove unused desks, maximize social distancing
> Extracurricular activities status: Based on community spread
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,737 per 100,000 people — 19th highest (total: 30,475)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 7.6% — 15th largest (from 27,942 to 30,070)
> Population: 1.8 million
Illinois
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, with majority going remote
> Daily routine changes: Schedule restroom breaks, stagger arrivals and dismissals, restrict sharing of any items, stagger indoor and outdoor play
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for all students age 5+
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings and temperature checks for all
> Classroom space organization: Desks at least 6 feet apart in all directions, keep windows open, mark path of travel inside the classroom, assign student pods
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,754 per 100,000 people — 16th highest (total: 223,470)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 6.7% — 25th largest (from 207,854 to 221,790)
> Population: 12.7 million
Indiana
> Reopening plan: Most schools offer option of full-time in-person or distance learning
> Daily routine changes: Stay in single classroom, no mixing of classes or grade levels, discourage attendance awards, assign students to entrances
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for school staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Desks facing the same direction, consider broadcasting in-class instruction to multiple locations in the school
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,321 per 100,000 people — 22nd lowest (total: 88,421)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 8.1% — 12th largest (from 81,006 to 87,592)
> Population: 6.7 million
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Iowa
> Reopening plan: Option for hybrid model or distance learning, at least 50% must be in-person instruction
> Daily routine changes: Up to each school
> Mask or face covering rules: Not recommended but allowed
> Health screening precautions: Up to each school
> Classroom space organization: Post signs on how to stop the spread of the virus, properly wash hands
> Extracurricular activities status: Up to each school
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,811 per 100,000 people — 15th highest (total: 57,156)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 7.5% — 16th largest (from 52,617 to 56,585)
> Population: 3.2 million
Kansas
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread
> Daily routine changes: Designate single entry and exit points, staggered arrival and dismissal times, change bell schedule to minimize foot traffic
> Mask or face covering rules: REquired for staff, visitors, and most students
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for staff
> Classroom space organization: Install physical barriers, physical guides to direct traffic, seating areas at least 6 feet apart
> Extracurricular activities status: Pursue virtual activities
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,319 per 100,000 people — 21st lowest (total: 38,401)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 9.2% — 9th largest (from 35,167 to 38,401)
> Population: 2.9 million
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Kentucky
> Reopening plan: Distance learning or a full return to in-person instruction
> Daily routine changes: Schedule arrival and dismissal times, direct traffic flow in hallways, assigned seating, schools may bring small groups of students for tutoring
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended or required, depending on local virus transmission level
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: One-way hallways, post signs showing proper social distancing
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, social distancing required
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 997 per 100,000 people — 13th lowest (total: 44,568)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 10.6% — 5th largest (from 39,691 to 43,899)
> Population: 4.5 million
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Louisiana
> Reopening plan: Reopen in phases, up to each school
> Daily routine changes: Hand-washing at least every two hours, remain separated even outdoors, maintain social distancing
> Mask or face covering rules: Required, students who can’t wear them will be in static groups
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in same groups every day, 10 people, including adults, per class, separate groups with walls or partitions when indoors
> Extracurricular activities status: Vary by reopening phase
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 3,093 per 100,000 people — the highest (total: 144,116)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 3.7% — 10th smallest (from 138,485 to 143,566)
> Population: 4.7 million
Maine
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread
> Daily routine changes: Interdisciplinary courses, social distancing is required during lunch
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for adults, required for students age 5+
> Health screening precautions: Daily self-checks for students and staff
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in small groups, increase spacing, mark one-way directions if possible
> Extracurricular activities status: Restricted
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 326 per 100,000 people — 2nd lowest (total: 4,368)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 3.8% — 13th smallest (from 4,197 to 4,356)
> Population: 1.3 million
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Maryland
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Restrict students from changing classrooms, stagger school bus schedules, one way routes in hallways
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for staff
> Classroom space organization: Reduce class sizes, destks at least 6 feet apart, facing the same direction, install physical barriers
> Extracurricular activities status: Up to each school
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,738 per 100,000 people — 18th highest (total: 105,046)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 3.9% — 14th smallest (from 100,715 to 104,669)
> Population: 6.0 million
Massachusetts
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Limit traffic in hallways, spend time in same groups
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for grade 2 and up, encouraged for the rest
> Health screening precautions: Temperature checks are not recommended
> Classroom space organization: Same groups every day for elementary students, no maximum number for class size but students must be 6 feet apart, use large spaces for classrooms
> Extracurricular activities status: TBD
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,692 per 100,000 people — 21st highest (total: 116,770)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 1.6% — 4th smallest (from 114,611 to 116,421)
> Population: 6.9 million
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Michigan
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, online classes must be an option
> Daily routine changes: Reinforce proper hand-washing techniques required, hand-washing every 2-3 hours, limit use of classroom materials
> Mask or face covering rules: Required
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Desks at least 6 feet apart, facing same direction, reduce class sizes, post signs showing proper social distancing
> Extracurricular activities status: Not allowed
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,087 per 100,000 people — 15th lowest (total: 108,637)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 4.8% — 17th smallest (from 102,749 to 107,686)
> Population: 10.0 million
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Minnesota
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Schedule hygiene routines, floor/seating markings in common areas, arrival and dismissal monitored
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for students, staff, and others in schools, offices, and transportation
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Give students as much space as possible, use transparent dividers
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,260 per 100,000 people — 19th lowest (total: 70,707)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 7.0% — 22nd largest (from 65,716 to 70,298)
> Population: 5.6 million
Mississippi
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, start delayed in some schools
> Daily routine changes: Stagger cafeteria use
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Social distancing is recommended, limit class sizes to 50% or less of room capacity when possible
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with attendance capped to no more than two spectators per participant
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 2,652 per 100,000 people — 4th highest (total: 79,206)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 8.3% — 10th largest (from 72,412 to 78,405)
> Population: 3.0 million
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Missouri
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Assigned seating, lunch in classrooms
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening.
> Classroom space organization: Desks facing the same direction, at least 6 feet apart if possible
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,251 per 100,000 people — 18th lowest (total: 76,613)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 10.6% — 4th largest (from 68,613 to 75,914)
> Population: 6.1 million
Montana
> Reopening plan: Hybrid model, half days
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classrooms, staggered arrival times
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for all students and staff
> Health screening precautions: Visitor temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Separate desks as much as possible, break large classes in small groups, close gyms, playgrounds, and libraries
> Extracurricular activities status: Canceling recommended
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 624 per 100,000 people — 7th lowest (total: 6,624)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 12.0% — 3rd largest (from 5,792 to 6,489)
> Population: 1.1 million
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Nebraska
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, based on community spread, start postponed until Sept. 16, academic year cut to 170 days
> Daily routine changes: Frequent hand-washing, limit use of school materials, keep personal items separate
> Mask or face covering rules: Up to each school
> Health screening precautions: Visitors wash hands before entering the school, symptom self-screen
> Classroom space organization: Move high school choirs to larger spaces, or practice in smaller groups, post signs showing proper social distancing
> Extracurricular activities status: Only sports is allowed to continue
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,677 per 100,000 people — 22nd highest (total: 32,348)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 5.0% — 18th smallest (from 30,372 to 31,889)
> Population: 1.9 million
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Nevada
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Limit use of common areas like playgrounds, teachers rotate, not students, restroom rotation
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for staff and students
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks recommended, post signs about proper hand-washing and other ways to stop the virus
> Classroom space organization: Desks at least 6 feet apart, post signs showing proper social distancing
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, no live audience
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 2,189 per 100,000 people — 9th highest (total: 66,413)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 6.5% — 25th smallest (from 61,967 to 66,010)
> Population: 3.0 million
New Hampshire
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Stagger dismissal, stagger meal times, serve lunch in classroom, monitor hallways to direct movement, assigned seating
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings for staff, students
> Classroom space organization: Desks placed 3 to 6 feet apart, facing the same direction, use gym as classrooms
> Extracurricular activities status: Up to each school
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 527 per 100,000 people — 5th lowest (total: 7,150)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 1.9% — 5th smallest (from 7,004 to 7,134)
> Population: 1.4 million
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New Jersey
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, most return with a hybrid model
> Daily routine changes: Staggering meal times, recess held in staggered shifts, gym classes in marked areas
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for school staff and visitors
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and history of exposure
> Classroom space organization: Install physical barriers, desks facing the same direction
> Extracurricular activities status: Avoid close-group activities
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 2,133 per 100,000 people — 11th highest (total: 190,021)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 1.0% — 2nd smallest (from 187,767 to 189,719)
> Population: 8.9 million
New Mexico
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Longer meal periods, no large gatherings, limit mixing between groups,staggered class changed
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for students and staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Limit in-person classes to 50% of classroom capacity, use outdoor seating, keep students in same groups
> Extracurricular activities status: Sports, some activities allowed, eliminate field trips
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,171 per 100,000 people — 16th lowest (total: 24,535)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 4.1% — 15th smallest (from 23,500 to 24,469)
> Population: 2.1 million
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New York
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread, NYC allowing outdoor learning
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classroom, restrict use of hallways, frequent hand-washing, limit gatherings in small spaces
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for all
> Classroom space organization: Use large common areas for classrooms, keep students in same groups, use visual aids for traffic flow
> Extracurricular activities status: Lower-risk sports can resume
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 2,204 per 100,000 people — 8th highest (total: 430,774)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 1.0% — the smallest (from 425,916 to 430,145)
> Population: 19.5 million
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North Carolina
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Frequent hand-washing, lunch in classrooms
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for teachers and students K-12
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: One-way hallways, keep students in same groups, install physical barriers
> Extracurricular activities status: Cancel activities that bring many people together
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,519 per 100,000 people — 24th highest (total: 157,741)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 7.5% — 17th largest (from 145,516 to 156,396)
> Population: 10.4 million
North Dakota
> Reopening plan: Up to school district
> Daily routine changes: Students in same groups, group sizes should be no more than 15 people
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended, especially if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Testing for COVID-19 based on risk level
> Classroom space organization: Use large common areas such as gyms and playgrounds to hold classes
> Extracurricular activities status: Canceling recommended
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,346 per 100,000 people — 23rd lowest (total: 10,229)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 15.6% — 2nd largest (from 8,647 to 10,000)
> Population: 760,000
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Ohio
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, most return for in-person instruction full-time
> Daily routine changes: Frequent hand-washing, practice social distancing, scheduling half-days
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in same groups, social distancing required
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 997 per 100,000 people — 12th lowest (total: 116,495)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 6.0% — 24th smallest (from 109,062 to 115,651)
> Population: 11.7 million
Oklahoma
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classrooms, stagger recess times, keep students in groups in playgrounds, scheduled rotation of students
> Mask or face covering rules: Encouraged for staff and students
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks at home recommended
> Classroom space organization: Use larger common areas such as gyms as classrooms, desks 6 feet apart, facing the same direction, divide playgrounds in zones
> Extracurricular activities status: Pursue virtual activities
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,374 per 100,000 people — 25th lowest (total: 54,172)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 9.9% — 8th largest (from 48,711 to 53,522)
> Population: 3.9 million
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Oregon
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, based on community spread
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classroom, assigned restrooms, reduce mixing of students, teacher rotate, not students
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff and students
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: A minimum of 35 square feet per person when determining room capacity, install physical barriers, keep students in same classroom all day
> Extracurricular activities status: Allow sports
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 606 per 100,000 people — 6th lowest (total: 25,391)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 7.3% — 20th largest (from 23,451 to 25,155)
> Population: 4.2 million
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Pennsylvania
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classrooms, restricted interactions between groups
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening
> Classroom space organization: Students must be at least 6 feet apart, use gyms as classrooms, desks facing the same direction
> Extracurricular activities status: Allow, social distancing and masks required
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,015 per 100,000 people — 14th lowest (total: 130,035)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 3.7% — 12th smallest (from 124,844 to 129,474)
> Population: 12.8 million
Rhode Island
> Reopening plan: Up to school district
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classrooms, assign bathroom times
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: At-home or on-site symptom screening, temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Reduce class sizes if necessary, use partitions and other dividers to create separation between students
> Extracurricular activities status: Eliminated field trips
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 2,021 per 100,000 people — 13th highest (total: 21,372)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 3.5% — 9th smallest (from 20,572 to 21,302)
> Population: 1.1 million
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South Carolina
> Reopening plan: Up to each school, only 22% start in-person full time
> Daily routine changes: Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for students and staff who ride the state’s pupil transportation system
> Health screening precautions: Up to each school
> Classroom space organization: Space desks further apart, social distancing required
> Extracurricular activities status: Allow sports, social distancing and masks required
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 2,232 per 100,000 people — 7th highest (total: 113,488)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 5.2% — 19th smallest (from 106,953 to 112,551)
> Population: 5.1 million
South Dakota
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, plan for full time distance learning if students test positive
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classrooms, schedule breaks for hand-washing
> Mask or face covering rules: Strongly recommended
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Stagger students 6 feet apart, post signs for proper hygiene practices
> Extracurricular activities status: Limited
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,304 per 100,000 people — 20th lowest (total: 11,505)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 10.3% — 6th largest (from 10,360 to 11,425)
> Population: 882,000
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Tennessee
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Frequent hand-washing, lunch in classrooms
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for all staff, students in middle and high school
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Students must be at least 6 feet apart
> Extracurricular activities status: Cancel activities that bring many people together
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 2,148 per 100,000 people — 10th highest (total: 145,417)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 7.3% — 18th largest (from 134,744 to 144,604)
> Population: 6.8 million
24/7 Wall St.
Texas
> Reopening plan: In-person instruction in public schools, offer online option as transition period
> Daily routine changes: Shorter schools days if there is a need for fewer people in buildings
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for adults and old enough students
> Health screening precautions: Symptom self-screening for staff
> Classroom space organization: Rearrange to practice social distancing
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 2,022 per 100,000 people — 12th highest (total: 580,384)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 6.9% — 23rd largest (from 542,950 to 580,384)
> Population: 28.7 million
Utah
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Frequent hand-washing, physical distancing, reduce large gatherings, stagger lunch and recess times
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended
> Health screening precautions: Self-monitoring symptoms
> Classroom space organization: Maximize space between seating and desks, install physical barriers
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,574 per 100,000 people — 23rd highest (total: 49,767)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 5.3% — 20th smallest (from 46,894 to 49,364)
> Population: 3.2 million
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Vermont
> Reopening plan: Staggered student schedules
> Daily routine changes: Assigned section of the school yard, schedule restroom breaks
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for all staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening at home
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in small groups by age in classrooms, but no more than 10 students
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 251 per 100,000 people — the lowest (total: 1,572)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 2.6% — 8th smallest (from 1,527 to 1,566)
> Population: 626,000
Virginia
> Reopening plan: Reopen in phases
> Daily routine changes: Up to each school
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings
> Classroom space organization: Close common areas like cafeterias, maintain social distance, limit classes to 10 people
> Extracurricular activities status: Not allowed
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,346 per 100,000 people — 24th lowest (total: 114,635)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 5.8% — 22nd smallest (from 107,421 to 113,630)
> Population: 8.5 million
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Washington
> Reopening plan: Many districts starting the school year with a hybrid model
> Daily routine changes: Frequent hand-washing, social distancing
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff, recommended for students
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Elementary students in same groups, place desks to maximize space between students, facing the same direction
> Extracurricular activities status: Cancel activities in which students may be in close contact
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 947 per 100,000 people — 10th lowest (total: 71,371)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 5.4% — 21st smallest (from 67,721 to 71,371)
> Population: 7.5 million
West Virginia
> Reopening plan: Expected to open for in-person instruction
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classroom, space meal serving lines and space seating, one-way hallways, designated exits and entries
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff and students grades 3 and above
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in same room, desks at least 6 feet apart
> Extracurricular activities status: Pursue virtual activities
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 520 per 100,000 people — 4th lowest (total: 9,395)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 7.9% — 14th largest (from 8,632 to 9,312)
> Population: 1.8 million
Wisconsin
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, many will start in-person classes
> Daily routine changes: More lunch periods, practice physical distancing when possible, frequent hand-washing
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for teacher when close to other people, required for students in high-traffic periods
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks recommended
> Classroom space organization: Keep children in grades 4K-8 in same groups and in same classroom
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 1,230 per 100,000 people — 17th lowest (total: 71,492)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 7.0% — 21st largest (from 66,196 to 70,854)
> Population: 5.8 million
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Wyoming
> Reopening plan: Reopen in phases, based on community spread
> Daily routine changes: Specific groups use specific school entrances, lunch in classrooms, snacks not allowed
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Up to each district
> Classroom space organization: Install physical barriers, partition certain areas to reduce crowding
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 25: 629 per 100,000 people — 8th lowest (total: 3,634)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 17 – Aug. 24: 8.2% — 11th largest (from 3,331 to 3,603)
> Population: 578,000
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