Gov. Inslee issues proclamation requiring schools to offer in-person classes with hybrid model

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Friday that he is issuing an emergency proclamation requiring school districts to offer all K-12 students a hybrid in-person/remote learning model by mid-April.

Under the order, all schools statewide will be required to offer part time options for in-person classes by April 5 for K-6 students, and then by April 19 for K-12 students.

“This is a wondrous miracle that we want every child to be able to experience,” Inslee said. “We know we can do this safely, and we’re confident in our ability to do it.”

Reykdal: Concern over reopening schools ‘isn’t matching’ with science

All school districts must also have a minimum of 30% of weekly instructional hours take place in person and on campus. “Under no circumstances” can any school offer fewer than at least two partial days on campus per week.

Schools will still be required to be in compliance with Department of Health safety guidelines for school facilities.

Inslee estimates that over 400,000 students in 1,400 schools spanning 200 districts in Washington have already successfully began offering in-person classes, “with minimal in-school transmission” of COVID-19.

A year to the day since state leaders ordered all schools to shift to a remote learning model, Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal described how now was the time to ramp back up to in-person learning models.

“We’ve got to do better — we’ve got to do more,” he said Friday.

Reykdal pointed out that students have been struggling this year with attendance and academics.

“We’re seeing D’s, F’s, incompletes, and no credits up this year,” he said.

Inslee also encouraged schools to direct funding from the recently-passed American Rescue Plan Act toward “mental health aid for students with counselors, nurses and other support workers.”

Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest