Reopening Update: New Metrics Will Allow More In-Person Learning
At 11 a.m. today, The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) released their latest Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance for the 2020-21 school year, including new metrics which will allow more students to return to the classroom. (Metrics are on page 15 of the new guidance document.)
Click Here to See the Latest Guidance
Changes to the metrics will allow many more schools to reopen for in-person instruction. The new metrics include:
- One measurement period: County metrics will now be based on measurements from a single two-week period.
- No statewide positivity metric: Only county-level positivity rates will be used to determine if a school district can reopen.
- Elementary School (K-6): Students in grades K-6 can now return to the classroom, rather than just K-3.
- Enforcement: Oregon OSHA has created a new confidential school hotline. If you believe a school is not in compliance with safety requirements, you can file a named or anonymous complaint at 1-833-604-0884 or online.
Several counties now meet the requirements to reopen for in-person learning: Baker, Clatsop, Curry, Gilliam, Grant, Hood River, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lincoln, Sherman, Tillamook, Union and Wheeler.
In addition, some counties meet requirements to open for elementary school only: Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Coos, Deschutes, Douglas, Polk, Wallowa and Wasco.
The counties which are not yet eligible to provide in-person instruction include Crook, Harney, Jackson, Lane, Linn, Malheur, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Umatilla, Washington and Yamhill.
If you have questions about how the new guidance will impact your school district, contact your chapter president or OSEA field representative.
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