Special Report
How Schools Are Reopening in Every State This Fall
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Schools across most of the county have reopened, and the traditional school day has been overhauled. Social distancing, part-time remote learning, 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 mandates, and the final decisions on how to reopen their schools lie within each school district. School districts can also change plans at any point during the academic year.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed executive orders, directives, and guidelines issued by either governors or state education and health departments to create a list of restrictions and safety recommendations for resuming in-person instruction in every state.
The guidelines aim at preventing transmission among students; however, that may be difficult to achieve. Many schools from Alaska to Florida have had to temporarily close just days after reopening for in-person instruction as both teachers and students tested positive for COVID-19. In a few cases, schools shut doors and cancelled all after-school programs even after a single staff member had been exposed to the virus.
Across the country, teachers and the state governments are at odds about how to reopen. In some states, educators sued to start the school year remotely. In many, teachers used medical leaves to avoid in-person teaching over fears the current protocols put in place are not sufficient to ensure everyone’s safety.
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 in COVID-19 cases 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 how every state is reopening schools this fall
Alabama
> Reopening plan: Hybrid model, 2 days a week in-person instruction, alternating AM and PM schedule
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-to-late August
> Re-closing schools: One high school in Limestone County closed from Aug. 17 to Aug. 21, the first in the state to reclose, after 4 students tested positive for COVID-19
> 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 Sep 10: 2,773 per 100,000 people — 5th highest (total: 135,565)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 4.8% — 25th smallest increase (from 128,239 to 134,417)
> 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
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Re-closing schools: 3 schools in the Mat-Su Borough School District, the state’s largest, closed as of Sept. 1 after 5 COVID-19 cases were reported
> 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 Sep 10: 938 per 100,000 people — 9th lowest (total: 6,915)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 8.9% — 8th largest increase (from 6,233 to 6,790)
> Population: 737,000
Arizona
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Re-closing schools: One school in Tucson closed from Aug. 25 – Sept. 7 after one student tested positive. Another schools partially closed after a teacher tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 2,886 per 100,000 people — 4th highest (total: 207,002)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 1.8% — 6th smallest increase (from 202,861 to 206,541)
> Population: 7.2 million
Arkansas
> Reopening plan: Must provide in-person instructions as option 5 days a week
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-to-late August
> Re-closing schools: Several schools temporarily moved classes online after 100+ students and staff had to quarantine due to possible exposure to the virus
> 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 Sep 10: 2,203 per 100,000 people — 13th highest (total: 66,406)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 6.9% — 13th largest increase (from 62,112 to 66,406)
> Population: 3.0 million
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California
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread, alternate distance learning with in-person instruction
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> 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 Sep 10: 1,878 per 100,000 people — 22nd highest (total: 742,865)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 3.9% — 16th smallest increase (from 712,052 to 739,527)
> Population: 39.6 million
Colorado
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, maximize in-person learning
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early August
> Re-closing schools: At least 2 schools temporarily closed at the end of August after one positive case led to several students and staff quarantining, classes to move online
> 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 Sep 10: 1,052 per 100,000 people — 11th lowest (total: 59,920)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 3.3% — 11th smallest increase (from 58,019 to 59,920)
> Population: 5.7 million
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Connecticut
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, most open for in-person instruction
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Re-closing schools: A least 3 schools closed temporarily after several students and a staff member tested positive. Some classes moved online
> 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 Sep 10: 1,514 per 100,000 people — 19th lowest (total: 54,093)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 1.4% — 4th smallest increase (from 53,108 to 53,871)
> Population: 3.6 million
Delaware
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early-to-mid August
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> 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 Sep 10: 1,909 per 100,000 people — 19th highest (total: 18,466)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 4.3% — 21st smallest increase (from 17,549 to 18,308)
> Population: 967,000
Florida
> Reopening plan: In-person instruction, unless barred by local directives
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Re-closing schools: At least one high school closed for 2 weeks on Sept. 8 after 6 people tested positive. Classes were moved online
> 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 Sep 10: 3,074 per 100,000 people — 2nd highest (total: 654,731)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 3.0% — 10th smallest increase (from 633,442 to 652,148)
> Population: 21.3 million
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Georgia
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early August
> Re-closing schools: Georgia schools closed to in-person learning in August after students and staff members tested positive for COVID-19
> 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 Sep 10: 2,748 per 100,000 people — 6th highest (total: 289,123)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 4.6% — 22nd smallest increase (from 274,613 to 287,287)
> Population: 10.5 million
Hawaii
> Reopening plan: Distance learning for at least first few weeks
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> 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 Sep 10: 713 per 100,000 people — 6th lowest (total: 10,123)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 15.9% — the largest increase (from 8,653 to 10,025)
> Population: 1.4 million
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Idaho
> Reopening plan: Two of Idaho’s three largest districts decided to begin the year online
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Re-closing schools: A library temporarily closed for a week at the end of August after one employee tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 1,956 per 100,000 people — 17th highest (total: 34,310)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 5.0% — 25th largest increase (from 32,664 to 34,310)
> Population: 1.8 million
Illinois
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, with majority going remote
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Re-closing schools: At least one elementary school in Palos Heights temporarily closed for 2 weeks until Sept. 8 after one staff member tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 2,006 per 100,000 people — 16th highest (total: 255,643)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 6.3% — 15th largest increase (from 238,643 to 253,690)
> Population: 12.7 million
Indiana
> Reopening plan: Most schools offer option of full-time in-person or distance learning
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Re-closing schools: Schools in Indiana closed to in-person learning in August after students and staff members tested positive for COVID-19
> 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 Sep 10: 1,528 per 100,000 people — 20th lowest (total: 102,243)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 6.0% — 18th largest increase (from 95,750 to 101,485)
> 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
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Re-closing schools: 3 days after opening for in-person instruction, one high school moved classes online for 2 days after a student tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 2,280 per 100,000 people — 10th highest (total: 71,956)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 7.6% — 12th largest increase (from 66,137 to 71,137)
> Population: 3.2 million
Kansas
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early-to-mid September
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> 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 Sep 10: 1,628 per 100,000 people — 23rd lowest (total: 47,410)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 7.9% — 11th largest increase (from 43,940 to 47,410)
> Population: 2.9 million
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Kentucky
> Reopening plan: Distance learning or a full return to in-person instruction
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-to-late August
> Re-closing schools: In mid-August one school in Clinton County moved classes online for 2 weeks after a student tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 1,208 per 100,000 people — 14th lowest (total: 53,977)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 8.0% — 10th largest increase (from 49,991 to 53,977)
> Population: 4.5 million
Louisiana
> Reopening plan: Reopen in phases, up to each school
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early August
> Re-closing schools: Several schools in Louisiana closed to in-person learning in August after students and staff members tested positive for COVID-19
> 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 Sep 10: 3,335 per 100,000 people — the highest (total: 155,419)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 3.4% — 13th smallest increase (from 149,838 to 154,955)
> Population: 4.7 million
Maine
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread, many choose a hybrid model
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Re-closing schools: One school district delayed the start of the academic year by a week until Sept. 14 after a staff member tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 356 per 100,000 people — 2nd lowest (total: 4,760)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 3.7% — 15th smallest increase (from 4,567 to 4,734)
> Population: 1.3 million
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Maryland
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Re-closing schools: At least one prep school temporarily closed for 2 days in mid-August after 2 staff members tested positive
> 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, desks 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 Sep 10: 1,888 per 100,000 people — 21st highest (total: 114,078)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 3.9% — 18th smallest increase (from 109,319 to 113,575)
> Population: 6.0 million
Massachusetts
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, based on community spread
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Re-closing schools: Salem summer programs were closed for a week in mid-August after one staff member tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 1,764 per 100,000 people — 25th highest (total: 121,759)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 1.6% — 5th smallest increase (from 119,426 to 121,396)
> Population: 6.9 million
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Michigan
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, online classes must be an option
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early-to-mid September
> Re-closing schools: At least one high school closed for 2 weeks until Sept. 11 after 5 students and one staff member tested positive
> 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 for some
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks recommended
> 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 Sep 10: 1,209 per 100,000 people — 15th lowest (total: 120,846)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 4.7% — 23rd smallest increase (from 114,468 to 119,863)
> Population: 10.0 million
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Minnesota
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early-to-mid September
> Re-closing schools: One school district delayed the start of the new academic year after a staff member tested positive. One county switched to hybrid model after a spike of COVID-19 cases in the area
> 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 Sep 10: 1,466 per 100,000 people — 18th lowest (total: 82,249)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 6.2% — 16th largest increase (from 77,085 to 81,868)
> Population: 5.6 million
Mississippi
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, start delayed in some schools
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early August
> Re-closing schools: In mid-August more than 2,000 students and nearly 500 teachers were quarantined after 245 teachers and 199 students tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 2,957 per 100,000 people — 3rd highest (total: 88,322)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 4.1% — 19th smallest increase (from 84,365 to 87,805)
> Population: 3.0 million
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Missouri
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Re-closing schools: At least one school district closed temporarily until Sept. 4 after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. Classes were moved online
> 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 Sep 10: 1,592 per 100,000 people — 22nd lowest (total: 97,555)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 10.6% — 5th largest increase (from 87,196 to 96,439)
> Population: 6.1 million
Montana
> Reopening plan: Hybrid model, half days
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Re-closing schools: At the end of August, middle schools and high schools in Hardin paused all fall sports for 2 weeks after several students tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 815 per 100,000 people — 8th lowest (total: 8,663)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 10.1% — 6th largest increase (from 7,691 to 8,468)
> 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
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Re-closing schools: At least one district closed schools for grades 6-12 for 2 weeks until Aug. 24 after 3 staff members tested positive,
> 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 Sep 10: 1,914 per 100,000 people — 18th highest (total: 36,917)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 6.8% — 14th largest increase (from 34,574 to 36,917)
> Population: 1.9 million
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Nevada
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Re-closing schools: At least one elementary school was temporarily closed after one suspected positive case that may have exposed 8 people
> 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 Sep 10: 2,391 per 100,000 people — 9th highest (total: 72,546)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 3.4% — 12th smallest increase (from 69,872 to 72,258)
> Population: 3.0 million
New Hampshire
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Re-closing schools: One high school moved classes online for 3 days and suspended sports indefinitely after several students tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 558 per 100,000 people — 3rd lowest (total: 7,573)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 2.8% — 9th smallest increase (from 7,309 to 7,517)
> Population: 1.4 million
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New Jersey
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, most return with a hybrid model
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Re-closing schools: At least one high school has moved classes online, 2 days into the school year, after 1 student tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 2,194 per 100,000 people — 14th highest (total: 195,414)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 1.2% — 3rd smallest increase (from 192,595 to 194,990)
> Population: 8.9 million
New Mexico
> Reopening plan: School year will start remotely the first few weeks
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> 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 Sep 10: 1,254 per 100,000 people — 16th lowest (total: 26,268)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 2.6% — 7th smallest increase (from 25,612 to 26,268)
> Population: 2.1 million
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New York
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread, NYC allowing outdoor learning
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late September
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> 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 Sep 10: 2,261 per 100,000 people — 11th highest (total: 441,911)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 1.1% — the smallest increase (from 436,218 to 441,154)
> Population: 19.5 million
North Carolina
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, most start year remote
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Re-closing schools: At least 3 schools temporarily closed and moved classes online after several students and teachers tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 1,741 per 100,000 people — 25th lowest (total: 180,754)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 5.3% — 23rd largest increase (from 170,553 to 179,532)
> Population: 10.4 million
North Dakota
> Reopening plan: Up to school district
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Re-closing schools: At least one school, which has about 40 students, closed down in the end of August until Sept. 11 after 2 students tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 1,900 per 100,000 people — 20th highest (total: 14,443)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 13.1% — 2nd largest increase (from 12,267 to 13,872)
> Population: 760,000
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Ohio
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, most return for in-person instruction full-time
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-to-late August
> Re-closing schools: The Mentor Public School District in Lake County shifted to online learning only after a teacher tested positive for COVID-19
> 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 Sep 10: 1,147 per 100,000 people — 13th lowest (total: 134,086)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 5.7% — 19th largest increase (from 125,767 to 132,965)
> Population: 11.7 million
Oklahoma
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Re-closing schools: Dozens of schools in Oklahoma reported that students and staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Some of the schools closed temporarily
> 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 Sep 10: 1,692 per 100,000 people — 24th lowest (total: 66,700)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 9.7% — 7th largest increase (from 60,118 to 65,929)
> Population: 3.9 million
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Oregon
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, based on community spread
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> 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 Sep 10: 679 per 100,000 people — 5th lowest (total: 28,471)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 5.2% — 24th largest increase (from 27,075 to 28,471)
> Population: 4.2 million
Pennsylvania
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Re-closing schools: At the beginning of August, 4 school districts in Mercer County cancelled school activities for 2 weeks after one student tested positive and staff and a student were exposed
> 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 Sep 10: 1,108 per 100,000 people — 12th lowest (total: 141,877)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 4.2% — 20th smallest increase (from 135,611 to 141,290)
> Population: 12.8 million
Rhode Island
> Reopening plan: Up to school district
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Re-closing schools: Rhode Island delayed opening until Sept. 14 to give teachers more time to prepare for in-person learning
> 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 Sep 10: 2,155 per 100,000 people — 15th highest (total: 22,782)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 2.7% — 8th smallest increase (from 22,078 to 22,676)
> Population: 1.1 million
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South Carolina
> Reopening plan: Up to each school, only 22% start in-person full time
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Re-closing schools: At least 2 elementary schools temporarily closed in mid-August after a few staff members tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 2,490 per 100,000 people — 7th highest (total: 126,592)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 4.7% — 24th smallest increase (from 120,503 to 126,213)
> Population: 5.1 million
South Dakota
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, plan for full time distance learning if students test positive
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Re-closing schools: The Lemmon School District announced on Aug. 24 that school was canceled for grades K-5 from Aug. 24 â Sept. 7 because of COVID-19
> 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 Sep 10: 1,795 per 100,000 people — 23rd highest (total: 15,834)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 11.2% — 3rd largest increase (from 14,003 to 15,571)
> Population: 882,000
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Tennessee
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early-to-mid August
> Re-closing schools: Several Tennessee schools closed to in-person learning in August after students and staff members tested positive for COVID-19
> 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 Sep 10: 2,485 per 100,000 people — 8th highest (total: 168,237)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 5.5% — 20th largest increase (from 157,831 to 166,587)
> Population: 6.8 million
Texas
> Reopening plan: In-person instruction in public schools, offer online option as transition period
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Re-closing schools: The Navarro school district suspended its football program for 10 days on Aug. 14 after an outbreak of COVID-19
> 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 Sep 10: 2,250 per 100,000 people — 12th highest (total: 645,791)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 3.9% — 17th smallest increase (from 621,667 to 645,791)
> Population: 28.7 million
Utah
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Mid-August
> Re-closing schools: 2 charter schools in Utah closed on Sept. 1 after students and faculty tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 1,772 per 100,000 people — 24th highest (total: 56,019)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 5.4% — 22nd largest increase (from 52,822 to 55,673)
> Population: 3.2 million
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Vermont
> Reopening plan: Staggered student schedules
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> 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 Sep 10: 265 per 100,000 people — the lowest (total: 1,661)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 1.2% — 2nd smallest increase (from 1,637 to 1,656)
> Population: 626,000
Virginia
> Reopening plan: Reopen in phases
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August / Early September (depends on district)
> Re-closing schools: At least 4 schools temporarily closed in early September after several staff members tested positive
> 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 Sep 10: 1,532 per 100,000 people — 21st lowest (total: 130,525)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 5.5% — 21st largest increase (from 122,542 to 129,289)
> Population: 8.5 million
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Washington
> Reopening plan: Many districts starting the school year with a hybrid model
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> 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 Sep 10: 1,035 per 100,000 people — 10th lowest (total: 78,009)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 3.5% — 14th smallest increase (from 75,377 to 78,009)
> Population: 7.5 million
West Virginia
> Reopening plan: Expected to open for in-person instruction
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> 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 Sep 10: 665 per 100,000 people — 4th lowest (total: 12,017)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 11.0% — 4th largest increase (from 10,642 to 11,808)
> Population: 1.8 million
Wisconsin
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, many will start in-person classes
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Early September (depends on district)
> Re-closing schools: N/A
> 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 Sep 10: 1,460 per 100,000 people — 17th lowest (total: 84,881)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 8.0% — 9th largest increase (from 77,129 to 83,334)
> Population: 5.8 million
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Wyoming
> Reopening plan: Reopen in phases, based on community spread
> Start of 2020-2021 academic year: Late August
> Re-closing schools: An elementary school in Worland had its reopening delayed after 2 staff members tested positive and 10 others were placed in quarantine
> 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 Sep 10: 718 per 100,000 people — 7th lowest (total: 4,151)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Sep 2 – Sep 9: 6.1% — 17th largest increase (from 3,911 to 4,151)
> Population: 578000
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