MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Washington schools get more guidance on what fall classes will look like

Jun 4, 2020, 9:37 AM | Updated: 11:22 am

With Washington educators still uncertain of what classrooms will look like when schools resume in the fall, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal has identified a trio of possible options.

Gee and Ursula Show Class of 2020 Commencement Show

The proposals come from a work group Reykdal assembled weeks ago, operating under “the assumption that we won’t have a vaccine by September and that communities will still be mitigating the spread of COVID-19 by minimizing large group gatherings.”

With that in mind, the work group laid out three possible models.

  • Split or rotating schedules for in-person learning, with distancing learning available for students in the interim periods
  • Phased-in classes in person, with distancing learning still available
  • A measure labeled “Continuous Learning 2.0,” which would expand on the current distance learning models

All three of these proposals would account and adjust for the county, district, and region schools are located in. School districts expect to receive further guidance from the superintendent’s office by June 8.

What Washington schools might look like in the fall

Reykdal has been warning for months that the ongoing COVID-19 crisis could have schools operating remotely late into the year. In recent weeks, though, he’s hinted at more regional, focused approach.

“It looks like it will be some kind of a menu-based on a lot more localization,” Reykdal said in late May. “Caseloads are different around the state, [and] population densities … in elementary school can look very different than high school.”

At the time, he cited the possibility of up to eight different proposed models, “and then variations of those options.” Now it would appear as though the field has narrowed to the three proposals drawn up by the the state’s work group.

MyNorthwest News

Image: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks at a press conference about hospitals in the state providi...

Tom Brock

Gov. Inslee activates National Guard to prevent election-related unrest

Washington Governor Jay Inslee activated some Washington National Guard members Friday, asking them to be on stand-by.

18 hours ago

Gov. Jay Inslee has approved what will likely become Washington state's largest wind turbine farm s...

Tom Brock

Gov. Inslee approves huge wind turbine farm south of the Tri-Cities

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has approved what will likely be the biggest wind farm in the state that would be built along 24 miles of the Horse Heaven Hills, just south of Kennewick.

18 hours ago

Image: Riaz Khan, a former Mukilteo City Councilmember, is running for the Washington State House o...

Steve Coogan

Mukilteo police seek info on reported assault of candidate installing campaign signs

The Mukilteo Police Department is seeking information regarding an alleged assault of a political candidate installing signs last weekend.

23 hours ago

The North Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL ...

Matt Markovich

Washington emerges as key campaign fundraising hub for 2024 presidential race

Presidential candidates often turn to Washington state as a reliable source for campaign fundraising. This was true again in 2024.

1 day ago

An example of a French quiz given at Roosevelt High School. (Photo provided by student's family)...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Seattle high school teacher apologizes for anti-Trump quiz

A Seattle high school teacher labeled Donald Trump as a "liar" and "crazy" on a quiz. She has since apologized, parents reported.

2 days ago

Lake Stevens rescue...

Bill Kaczaraba

Snohomish County authorities rescue man from submerged car

A man in his 70s was rescued by Snohomish County authorities Friday from a car that had been submerged in Lake Stephens.

2 days ago

Washington schools get more guidance on what fall classes will look like